Salida Daily Digest Thursday, September 03, 2026
Ty's Take
You could parse all the council dust from the past week, the apologies and the pulled agendas and the short-term rental rules, but what it really amounts to is Salida growing too fast for the people running it to keep up. A fifty-thousand-dollar grant for senior housing tied to an eastside park sounds like a good thing, and it probably is, but it's also a Band-Aid on the real wound: there's nowhere left for working people to live around here, and the town's governance is starting to show the strain. When a mayor has to apologize for civility issues and liquor licenses mysteriously vanish from the agenda without explanation, folks notice. The valley's always had its rough edges, but they used to come from disagreements about water and grazing rights, not about whether Salida's even still a town for the people who built it.
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Ark Valley Voice
Salida Seeks $50,000 Grant For East-side Park Tied To Affordable Senior Housing Project
Salida's City Council unanimously approved a resolution to pursue a $50,000 state grant for designing a one-acre public park on Scott Street next to a planned affordable senior housing development. The Community Development Block Grant would fund design, engineering, and environmental work for the...
We are SO CLOSE to the Christmas in July Fund Drive Goal!
Ark Valley Voice is just $116 away from reaching its $30,000 Christmas in July Fund Drive goal, which supports fall newsroom operations and 2026 Midterm Elections coverage. The publication hopes to close out the annual summer fund drive to continue serving the community.
History Lives: The Nathrop Area Kilns
Charcoal kilns once stood along the Rio Grande/Denver South Park Railroad tracks near the Arkansas River south of Buena Vista during the 1880s, in what is now the Noah's Ark area on the west side of Highway 24. Historical records show Fisherman's Bridge now marks where a river crossing once stood...
Mayor Critelli Apologizes After Concerns Raised Over Salida City Council Civility
Salida Mayor Justin Critelli apologized Tuesday for allowing personal disagreements among City Council members at an August 18 meeting after former Mayor Dan Shore urged the council to return to civil and respectful debate. Shore raised his concerns during public comment at the September 1 City...
U.S. 24 Bridge Work in Johnson Village Expected to Cause Traffic Delays
Long-needed repairs to the bridge in Johnson Village are expected to cause traffic delays for Labor Day travelers heading to the Buena Vista area and surrounding mountains and river valley. Visitors should prepare for congestion while the work is underway.
Salida Tightens Residency Verification For Short-term Rentals, Rejects Minimum-rental Rule
Salida's City Council unanimously approved stricter documentation requirements for short-term rental owners subject to the city's Chaffee County residency requirement. The council rejected a proposed minimum-night rental rule for the properties.
Jug Liquor License “Show Cause” Hearing Pulled Without Explanation from Salida City Council Agenda
Salida Mayor Justin Critelli pulled a liquor license show cause hearing for Nine Stripes LLC dba Arlie Dale's Jug Liquors at 220 North F Street from the September 1 council agenda without providing an explanation. The item was removed at the start of the meeting.
Upcoming Buena Vista Pride Coalition September Events
Buena Vista Pride Coalition announced upcoming September events including community dinners, queer happy hour, book club, and a harvest moon hike. The organization is shifting to fall and winter hours for the month.
Letter to the Editor: The Foundation of Our Future, Strengthening Chaffee County Through Housing
A letter to the editor argues that diverse housing options across all income levels are essential to the long-term economic health and quality of life in Chaffee County communities. The writer contends that accessible housing ensures local workers including teachers and emergency responders can...
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The Mountain Mail
Salida football falls to Pagosa 41-6 in season opener
Salida football opened its season with a loss to Pagosa, falling 41-6 in the matchup. The defeat marks the Salida team's first outing of the year.
Commissioners approve transfer of archery range to CPW
Chaffee County commissioners unanimously approved a 10-year ground lease transferring management of the county archery range at the landfill property to Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The no-cost agreement will reduce county maintenance burdens while providing the community access to the facility and...
Business Spotlight: Don’t Start With the Dumpster
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