Rico in Dolores County, Colorado — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Colorado Centennial Project

1876-1976 Centennial

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

1. Colorado Centennial Project Marker

Inscription.
An official project commemorating Colorado's 100th year of Statehood and the United States' 200th Year of Independence.

Endorsed by the Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission
Joe M. Lacy, Chairman
Richard D. Lamm, Governor

Erected 1976 by Colorado Centennial-Bicentennial Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Notable Buildings • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the The Spirit of ’76, America’s Bicentennial Celebration series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1976.

Location. 37° 41.572′ N, 108° 1.815′ W. Marker is in Rico, Colorado, in Dolores County. It is at the intersection of North Commercial Street and East Mantz Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Commercial Street. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the west/front facade of the Rico Town Hall (formerly the Dolores County Courthouse). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 North Commercial Street, Rico CO 81332, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Western

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Slope.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Rocky Mountains,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Rico Town Hall (here, next to this marker); The Atlantic Cable Mine (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Rico, Colorado (about 700 feet away); Valley Rico Cemetery (approx. one mile away); Keeping the Trains Running (approx. 10½ miles away); Winter on a Mountain Pass (approx. 10.7 miles away); Sheep and Cattle Grazing in the High Country (approx. 10.7 miles away); Early History and Railroad Development (approx. 10.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Rico.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Rico Town Hall, Colorado

Also see . . . Rico Town Hall (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Rico was formerly the county seat of Dolores County, and the
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

2. Colorado Centennial Project Marker
The Colorado Centennial Project marker is on the left side of the Rico Town Hall entrance.
city hall was built as the Dolores County Courthouse in 1892. At the time Rico was in the middle of a gold boom and had a population of 4,000. The new courthouse replaced a log courthouse. Over time the county's population shifted to Dove Creek, and after 53 years the county seat moved in 1946. The courthouse remained vacant until 1955, when it was transferred to Rico for town offices and meeting space.

(Submitted on September 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Rico Town Hall (<i>west/front elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

3. Rico Town Hall (west/front elevation)

Rico Town Hall (<i>northwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, July 18, 2025

4. Rico Town Hall (northwest elevation)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 65 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 3, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.