Rico was recently awarded two transportation grants.

The town was awarded a $10,000 Charge Ahead Colorado grant from the state energy office for an electric vehicle station.

The station will be installed in front of the Rico courthouse in the coming weeks, said Rico Town Manager Kari Distefano.

Maps of charging stations are on phone apps used by electric car drivers, and now Rico will be added.

“It will put on the national map and bring Rico some publicity,” Distefano said.

She said it will be free for the first two years.

There are now electric car charging stations in Durango, Mancos, Rico, Telluride, Ridgway and Ouray, making it possible to tour the San Juan Skyway by electric car.

Also, the Rico Center has awarded the town a $64,000 grant for a 24-passenger van for the shuttle from Rico to Telluride. The shuttle service started this year with a 10-passenger van. It has been well used, and the larger van allows for increased public access.

The round-trip shuttle runs 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.

One-way bus fare is $3, or $2 with purchase of a 10-day pass for $20. Passes may be purchased at Rico Town Hall at 2 N. Short St. The shuttle has room for 10 passengers and ski gear.

In other Rico news, the town is updating the ice skating rink behind the old elementary school. A new liner and rubber border will improve maintenance of the rink, which is popular for community hockey and broom ball contests.