Rico Town Manager Chauncey McCarthy accepts "Small Community of the Year" award October 28, 2025 at Pueblo Convention Center, Pueblo CO during Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) October 26-29 conference.
> photo source:
Region 9 Economic Development District

November 5, 2025
Region 9 Economic Development District
for immediate release

Town of Rico Awarded Small Community of the Year

A big congratulations goes to the Town of Rico for being awarded Small Community of the Year by the Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC).

The “Small Community of the Year award” recognizes communities under 20,000 people, and ones that have demonstrated support for economic development; are planning and investing in the long-term development of their community; and have a special project or development during nomination year.

Rico was chosen for several projects including their:

1. collaboration with the Rico Trails Alliance (RTA), the US Forest Service and the Rio Grande Southern (“RGS”) that created trailhead parking for all season trail users;
2. revitalizing a neglected property along the Dolores River, creating a bicycle pump track and covered ice rink that doubles as a summer picnic structure. The Town replaced their old public works shed with an energy-efficient net-zero building designed to accommodate the Public Works, Engineering, and Parks and Open Space staff. Rico also purchased a historic church to preserve the building with plans to use as a community center and the attached house for Town employee housing.

The Small Community of the Year award was presented to Town Manager, Chauncey McCarthy, at the EDCC’s Annual Conference in Pueblo, CO.

“This award is especially meaningful as our community has worked hard to build a strong foundation for sustainable growth,” said Chauncey Mccarthy, Rico Town Manager. “Over the past several years, the Board of Trustees and Town staff have focused on the fundamentals, strengthening our local infrastructure, creating welcoming public spaces, and fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.”

This award is one of several Excellence in Economic Development (EDIE) awards presented by the EDCC. The Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado (Region 9 EDD) submitted the successful nomination, and Laura Lewis Marchino, Region 9 EDD’s Executive Director said, “We always try to recognize good community work in our region, but for a tiny town like Rico to prevail among communities with more staff and resources is a real honor and reflects lot of hard work by community members.”

In the last five years: Montezuma County, Archuleta County, and the City of Durango have been recognized with EDIE Awards. For more information on the EDIE Awards, go to edcconline.org/edie-awards/.

EDIE Conference: "Excellence in Economic Development"

Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) conference - October 28, 2025 at Pueblo Convention Center, Pueblo.
> photo source:
Pueblo Convention Center

Region 9 EDD website describes its territory and mission:

Region 9 Economic Development District of Southwest Colorado, Inc. (Region 9 EDD) is a Colorado non-profit community economic development corporation that promotes and coordinates economic development efforts throughout Southwest Colorado. Our board of directors is comprised of 26 directors, 17 members from local government agencies throughout the region and nine members that represent the private sector in our five county area. Region 9 EDD serves the counties of Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montezuma and San Juan, and the cities and towns within those regions, as well as the Southern Ute Indian Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Region 9 is an equal opportunity lender and employer.

The Region 9 Economic Development District's mission is to be a regional leader, working cooperatively with the private and public sectors to enhance the economic conditions in the area, and improve the region's economic prosperity.

Rico Town Manager Chauncey McCarthy holds EDIE Award - October 28, 2025 at Pueblo Convention Center, Pueblo, CO.
> photo source:
Region 9 Economic Development District

Pueblo Convention Center at Pueblo, Colorado
> photo source:
Pueblo Convention Center

SUBSCRIBE
to Rico Ore Cart
new reports announcements
- - -
enter email address below