Potential

Potential for Rico Geothermal

Rico Geothermal Coalition (RGC) envisions using the natural geothermal resources that we have available to us to create a cleaner path forward, offering more independence and freedom for the community.

  • District Energy System: Use thermal energy to heat structures in our remote, low-income, rural town. Rico’s high altitude climate with long cold winters would especially benefit. This project would be the first of its kind in Colorado and Rico would become the model for community-driven geothermal development for other communities. Learn more about district heating and thermal energy networks (TENs) on our Geothermal 101 page.

  • Local Renewable Energy: Providing a reduction in living expenses and increase in quality of life for Rico residents

  • Community Resiliency: New options to create thriving communities beyond tourism with preservation of the natural environment, economic development, local jobs and innovative geothermal advancements and education

  • Self-sufficiency: Pursue self-sustaining community development that puts local residents first with cultural and ecological integrity and non-extractive development

How We See Geothermal Development Benefiting Rico

  • Reduced Energy Costs: Reduction in residents out-of-pocket heating costs: wood, gas, and inefficient electrical.

  • Cleaner & More Dependable Energy Source: Moving towards cleaner energy generation and a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Rico is currently serviced by a single electrical transmission line with common power outages.  Most heating is wood burning or natural gas

  • Local Job Creation: Rico is a bedroom community to the neighboring resort community of Telluride and has limited job opportunities. A TEN installation will not only create jobs, but also create job training in a workforce that is sustainable in the energy industry. Implementing geothermal in Rico can help the community localize energy and bring jobs and education to support the town’s economics and sustainable, community-led development.

  • Combat Inflation: Establishment of the thermal energy network (TEN) and associated job creation will counteract rapid market and price inflation associated with the local, tourism dependent economy.

  • Build Community: The bedroom community effect does not allow residents to put time and energy into thriving community initiatives, creating self sustaining technology or local workforce development.