Saratoga Approves Bridge Street Mural Project

MAY 12, 2025 |

Photo – Image of proposed mural – Courtesy Town of Saratoga

Saratoga may have another art project this summer when a Laramie-based artist paints a mural on the Bridge Avenue bridge.

The governing body of Saratoga will allow Dan Toro to paint a mural in town. Toro has been painting murals for over 8 years. His work can be seen in several states, including Colorado, Illinois, West Virginia, Utah, Maryland, and Wyoming. The Platte Valley Arts Council website states that several of Toro’s murals can be seen in Saratoga.

During the May 6^th Saratoga Town Council meeting, Public Works Director Emery Penner reminded the governing body that funds had been allocated for a town art project. The original idea was to paint a wildlife-based mural on the side of the pool building at the Hobo Hot Springs. However, former council member Kathy Beck recommended finding a better location for the art project.

Public Works Director Penner said the Saratoga Transportation Alternatives Master Plan, or STAMP, showed the bridge, on Bridge Avenue crossing the North Platte River, was an ideal place to create a wildlife-themed mural.

Penner provided the Town Council with a design proposal from Toro showing a pair of boots standing in a shallow river with a trout and a beaver swimming nearby. The design is angled to match the slope of the bridge.

The Public Works Director said Toro has completed projects around the state. Penner said he would like to have the artist begin right away, so the mural can be completed before the town’s Fourth of July celebrations.

At $15 a square foot, Penner said the project is expected to cost $3,000 to complete. However, the price will change depending on how much paint Toro uses on the mural.

Mayor Chuck Davis asked if the artist could finish the project within the given timeframe. Penner responded that Toro expects to complete the mural by the middle of June at the latest.

Penner said the town can pay for the mural using money from the capital improvements budget.

With the Town Council’s permission, former Councilwoman Kathy Beck offered to contact the Carbon County Visitors Council about a potential grant opportunity.

The Saratoga Town Council unanimously voted to approve the Bridge Street mural project.