Salida Daily Digest Friday, July 10, 2026
Ty's Take
Fifty years of river otters, a ski area's expansion plan finally blessed by the Forest Service, and the city council doubling down on affordable housing in the same week—that's Salida in 2024, caught between preserving what made this place worth discovering and actually letting people who work here afford to live here. The otter milestone is pure joy, the kind of thing that reminds us why the Arkansas matters beyond the rafting season and the water fights. But the real story is whether we've got the backbone to make housing policy stick while Monarch plans its future and Front Range money keeps creeping up the valley. Nobody in this county got rich betting against growth, but nobody got happy building a theme park version of themselves either.
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Ark Valley Voice
Colorado Celebrating 50 Years of River Otter Fun
Colorado is marking a half-century milestone as river otters, reintroduced to the state on July 9, 1976, continue to thrive in local waterways. Governor Polis joined the celebration of this successful wildlife restoration effort that has become a point of pride for the region.
Monarch Mountain has received U.S. Forest Service approval for its 2025 master development plan, which details upcoming improvements to parking, lifts, trails, and facilities. The ski area remains committed to relying entirely on natural snowfall for operations.
Chaffee County Women Who Care to Hold Quarterly July Grant Meeting
Chaffee County Women Who Care will hold its quarterly grant meeting July 14 at the Buena Vista Heritage Museum, where three local nonprofits will present funding requests. The gathering provides an opportunity for donors to support community organizations addressing local needs.
Colorado Partners with Code for America to Simplify Tax Filing for Eligible Families
Governor Polis announced a partnership with Code for America to bring free tax filing services to eligible low-income Colorado families this year. The SimpleFile tool will help residents claim the state Child Tax Credit and Family Affordability Tax Credit without hiring professional preparers.
National Parks Check-in: As the Nation Celebrates National Parks & Recreation Month
As the nation observes National Parks and Recreation Month, reports indicate that America's parks face staffing shortages and budget constraints that threaten visitor safety and park maintenance. Local journalists are encouraged to examine how these challenges are affecting their regional parks and...
Salida City Council signaled openness to revising the city's affordable housing policies to better serve lower-income residents, even if it means fewer deed-restricted properties. The council also reviewed the community's first comprehensive emissions inventory, which identified transportation as...
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The Mountain Mail
This week's community calendar lists numerous support group meetings, meal programs, and recreational activities available to Chaffee County residents. Highlights include daily AA meetings, food pantry hours at Caring and Sharing, and roller skating for young children every Friday.
Myers receives Fred Rasmussen Award
Logan Myers received the Fred Rasmussen Citizen Task Force Exceptional Achievement Award for his dedicated environmental advocacy and community outreach with the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area. Myers has spent years communicating with boaters and the public about river conditions, water...
City’s sewer line project progresses on schedule
Salida's major sewer line upgrade project is proceeding on schedule after two months of construction, with crews replacing a 10-inch line with a 21-inch pipeline along a 4.4-mile route to Poncha Springs. Work is expected to continue through 2027, with Miller Pipeline coordinating with local...
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