Historic Mining Town
Rico's Main Street and 1880s-era buildings reflect a genuine silver-mining history, preserved in a town that never became a resort.
Historic River Town · Dolores County, Colorado
Living in Rico, Colorado
A historic mining town on the Dolores River, about 28 miles south of Telluride over Lizard Head Pass.
- Elevation
- About 8,825 ft
- Founded
- 1879
- To Telluride
- About 28 miles
- Schools
- Telluride School District R-1
- For sale now
- 19
- Median asking price
- $435K
Live listing figures as of November 6, 2026.
Why Rico?
Rico is a small town in Dolores County, Colorado, set at about 8,800 feet on the Dolores River along State Highway 145, south of Lizard Head Pass. With a few hundred residents, it sits roughly 35 to 40 minutes from Telluride, deep in the San Juan National Forest.
Homes for sale in Rico
See all Rico listings →Rico was founded in 1879 as a silver mining town and once held thousands of residents during the boom. As mining faded it became a quiet community surrounded almost entirely by national forest, with its historic Main Street and mining-era buildings still intact.
For buyers, Rico offers authenticity and value: a real, historic mountain town at a fraction of resort-town pricing, on the scenic highway corridor between Telluride and the Cortez area. River access and national forest surround it on every side.
Lifestyle
Life in Rico
The Dolores River
The Dolores River runs through Rico, offering fishing and river access alongside the surrounding national forest.
Surrounded by National Forest
Rico is hemmed in by the San Juan National Forest, with hiking, hunting, and backcountry skiing directly accessible.
Attainable Value
Rico is one of the more affordable markets on the Telluride corridor, drawing buyers who want a mountain-town base without resort pricing.
The Highway 145 Corridor
Rico sits on the scenic route between Telluride and the Cortez and Dolores area, about 35 to 40 minutes from the ski resort.
Rico
Real Estate Overview
Rico real estate is modest in scale: historic homes and cabins on the town grid, a small number of newer builds, and parcels backing to national forest. Inventory is limited simply because the town is small.
Rico draws buyers prioritizing authenticity, river or forest access, and value over amenities and convenience. The trade-off for its attainable pricing is distance: Telluride's services and ski resort are a real drive away.
Before You Buy
What to know about owning in Rico
No central sewer yet
Rico has no central sewer system, so homes and businesses rely on individual septic systems. The town has been planning a central system, starting with the commercial core, but timing and funding are not settled. Get a septic inspection and ask the town about permit rules and project status before you make an offer.
Septic repairs and permits
Septic work in town follows a town ordinance that adopts the state's onsite wastewater rules. A major repair on an older system can mean upgrading it to current standards, so price that risk into an older property.
Renting it out
Short-term rentals in Rico need a town license, and the town's rules have included limits on how many licenses can be issued and where. The rules have changed several times in recent years, so confirm the current code with the Town Clerk before you count on rental income.
Lizard Head Pass in winter
The drive to Telluride runs over Lizard Head Pass on Colorado Highway 145. CDOT closes the pass for storms and avalanche work, sometimes with no set reopening time, so check COtrip and plan for days when the drive is not possible.
Mining history and records
Rico grew up around silver mining, and the EPA has overseen cleanup and water treatment at the Rico-Argentine site. Many parcels trace back to old mining claims, so review the title commitment, survey and any environmental records for the exact parcel.
Wildfire and insurance
Rico is surrounded by the San Juan National Forest. Get insurance quotes early in your due diligence, and ask what defensible-space or mitigation work an insurer may require.
Is Rico the Right Fit?
Rico tends to suit buyers who:
- Want an authentic, historic mountain town rather than a resort
- Value river access and being surrounded by national forest
- Are seeking a mountain-town property at an attainable price
- Are comfortable with a 35-to-40-minute drive to Telluride
- Appreciate a small, quiet, year-round community
A Local Perspective
Rico's appeal is that it never became a resort. It is a real, historic town surrounded by the San Juan National Forest, and it offers a way into the Telluride corridor at a price the resort towns cannot match.
The conversation buyers most need to have about Rico is distance. The 35-to-40-minute drive to Telluride is scenic but real, and Rico works best for buyers who want a mountain base and forest access rather than daily proximity to the resort.
Frequently asked questions about Rico
How many homes are for sale in Rico right now?
As of November 6, 2026, 19 homes, condominiums and lots were listed for sale in Rico, with a median asking price of $435K. Asking prices are not sale prices, and inventory changes daily, so check current listings or ask Anne-Britt for recent closed sales.
Where is Rico, Colorado?
Rico is a small town in Dolores County at about 8,800 feet, on the Dolores River along State Highway 145, south of Lizard Head Pass. It is roughly 35 to 40 minutes from Telluride, deep in the San Juan National Forest.
Is Rico a good place to buy a home?
Rico is one of the more attainable markets on the Telluride corridor. It is an authentic, historic mining town surrounded by national forest, with river access along the Dolores. It suits buyers who want a genuine mountain-town base and value over resort amenities, and who are comfortable with a 35-to-40-minute drive to Telluride.
What is Rico known for?
Rico is known as a historic silver mining town founded in 1879, with its 1880s-era Main Street still intact. Today it is known for its quiet, authentic character, its setting on the Dolores River, and being surrounded by the San Juan National Forest.
Does Rico have a town sewer system?
Not yet. Homes and businesses in Rico use individual septic systems. The town has been planning a central sewer and treatment plant that would serve the commercial core first, but construction timing and funding were not settled when we last checked. Ask the Town of Rico for the current status, and get a septic inspection on any property you are considering.
Which school district serves Rico?
In November 2023, voters approved moving the Rico area from the Dolores County School District into Telluride School District R-1, effective in 2024. Rico students had mostly attended Telluride schools since Rico's own school closed. Confirm current boundaries and transportation directly with Telluride School District R-1.
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Let's Talk About Rico
If you want a historic, forested mountain town on the Telluride corridor at an attainable price, we can help you find the right property in Rico.