New bus service from Rico to Telluride is expected to begin this month, reports Rico Town Manager Kari Distefano.
The round-trip shuttle will run Monday through Friday, leaving Rico at 6:50 a.m. in front of the Enterprise Grill and arriving in downtown Telluride at 8 a.m. It leaves for Rico at 5:30 p.m.
“There is a real need for the service because a lot of our residents work in Telluride,” Distefano said.
One-way bus fare is $3, or $2 with purchase of a 10-day pass for $20. Passes can be purchased at Rico Town Hall at 2 N. Short St. The shuttle has room for 10 passengers and ski gear.
The service is being provided by the San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation, in part to improve the Telluride employee housing crunch.
Telski, which operates the Telluride ski area, relies on Rico and Norwood for affordable housing. It recently purchased the Rico Hotel for employee housing, which accommodates about 20 workers. There is already a Norwood-Telluride bus service, and it is well used.
Winter Carnival plannedThe inaugural Rico Winter Carnival will take place Jan. 27-28.
The event at Rico Town Park features an ice-hockey tournament, snow bike tours, cross-country ski lessons, and a community potluck. Adults and children are welcome.
The friendly hockey tournament is at 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday, followed by the championship game at 4 p.m. Sunday.
On Saturday, the snow bike tour starts at 2 p.m. with a few loaner bikes available. The potluck starts at 5 p.m. Saturday. Bring a chili dish to share, toppings and sides will be provided and the Rico Trails Alliance will provide beer. On Sunday, cross-country ski tour and lessons begin at 11 a.m.
“It’s an effort to do something fun and is a cure for cabin fever,” Distefano said of the new carnival.
For more information and to register your hockey team, call Kari at 970-967-2863 or email townmanager@ricocolorado.gov.
For a schedule of events, visit ricocolorado.gov, and click on the Parks, Recreation and Trails.
jmimiaga@the-journal.com