Community based land stewardship in Rico, CO
photo: Dustin MilesRico land collab
Encouraging our Rico community's connection with place and local lands, through the stewardship of intergenerational connection and regional education.
Rico Land Collaborative was formed by a group of passionate community advocates seeking a new story of community success. Most rural mountain communities have chosen tourism as their economic driver, which inevitably leads to a similar boom and bust trajectory reminiscent to the mining days. We believe there is a more sustainable way to community vitality, one that preserves small town values, local residents quality of life, and builds a deep connection to place.
We strive to facilitate engaging conversations, develop opportunities for cross generational wisdom sharing, and rethinking traditional ideas of value and success.
"We strive to build community vision towards a future that honors our relationship with history and the natural world."
A different future for a historic mining town
Engage
While most mountain communities have sold their souls to tourism, retail, and real estate, we strive to shape a different future for the historic mining town of Rico, CO. One based in place based investment, sustainable energy use, and community over profits.
Rico Mountains
Rico is a small town nestled at 8827' in the western San Juan mountains. With a population of less than 300 people, Rico is one of the last mountain towns in Colorado to not be completely overrun by outside investment. Can we preserve this unique place and evolve with a new model?
Execution
Building community by connecting people with land and eachother. Stewarding thoughtful conversation around community, resiliency, and the future. We need you!
Our projects
We strive to preserve, protect, and steward the lands around Rico, Colorado in alignment with community values and a sustainable future for our remote mountain community.
We're the team behind RLC
We believe in a sustainable future for Rico. Our team is made of Rico residents seeking to engage deeply with our neighbors to envision a future rooted in community values, connection to nature, and collaborative reciprocity.
Meet the team →