Rico Town Park and Recreation Hub among 18 winners

by Allyn Svoboda
Publisher

Town Manager Chauncey McCarthy received an April 2, 2026 email from the Colorado Lottery announcing 2026 Starburst Award selections:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Apr. 2, 2026

Colorado Lottery announces 2026 Starburst Award winners

Projects across Colorado showcase how Lottery dollars support conservation, recreation, and community spaces.

PUEBLO, Colo.— The Colorado Lottery today announced the 2026 Starburst Award winners, recognizing 18 projects across the state that demonstrate outstanding use of Lottery proceeds in Colorado communities, marking a record-breaking year for both applications and awards.

Together, these projects represent more than $65.5 million in total investments, supporting outdoor recreation, conservation, education, and community spaces used by Coloradans every day. From new and improved parks and trails to open space preservation and rebuilding communities after devastating fires, this year's winners show how Lottery proceeds are put to work in communities of all sizes across Colorado.

"The Starburst Awards highlight projects that show the real impact of Lottery dollars across Colorado," said Tom Seaver, Senior Executive Director of the Colorado Lottery. "These investments help protect our outdoors, strengthen communities, and ensure Colorado remains a great place to live and explore."

Lottery proceeds are distributed through key partners, including Great Outdoors Colorado, the Conservation Trust Fund, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, and Building Excellent Schools Today, helping fund projects that might not otherwise be possible.

. . .

The announcement describes the Rico project:

Rico Town Park & Recreation Hub (Dolores County)
Transformed a remediated brownfield into a multi-use park with year-round amenities, expanding recreation access in a small mountain community.

. . .

Replying to an Ore Cart inquiry, Town Manager McCarthy explained who may apply for the Starburst award, and pending construction of the dirt pump track:

Great Outdoors Colorado awarded Rico $594,990 for the Rico Town Park and Outdoor Recreation Hub Project in March 2024.

The Economic Development Council of Colorado (EDCC) selected Rico for its annual Small Community of the Year award in November 2025, citing park improvements and community church building acquisition.

PHOTO GALLERY

Rico Town Park and Recreation Hub map
source: Colorado Lottery 2026 Starburst Awards announcement

. . .

- below photos by Ore Cart -

Rico Skate Park
September 16, 2025

. . .

Rico Pavilion construction
September 18, 2025

. . .

Rico Pavilion construction
September 18, 2025

from the April 2, 2026
Starburst Awards
announcement

About the Colorado Lottery

Since 1983, the Colorado Lottery has returned more than $4.6 billion to outdoor projects through Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), the Conservation Trust Fund, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). Once the GOCO proceeds cap is met, additional proceeds recipients include the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, Building Excellent Schools Today, Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, and other outdoor-related CPW funds. Proceeds from sales of Colorado Lottery games – Scratch, Powerball, Mega Millions, Colorado Lotto+, Millionaire For Life, Cash 5, and Pick 3 – enhance, protect, and improve parks, trails, recreation, wildlife, and open space in Colorado. For more information, visit coloradolottery.com.

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