Salida Daily Digest Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Ty's Take
When two towns that depend on each other start signing formal agreements on law enforcement and services, you're usually looking at either the smart kind of cooperation or the kind born from necessity. Buena Vista and Salida have always had that back-and-forth rhythm, and the intergovernmental deals the trustees just approved sound practical enough on paper. But what you really want to know is whether this clears the way for both communities to actually fund what matters, or whether it's just paperwork that lets everyone say they tried while the real needs keep getting pushed down the road. Around here, we've got short-term rental updates and broadband mergers and school construction moving forward, which means the valley's still growing whether we're entirely ready or not. The question isn't whether these towns work together better. It's whether working together means we get to actually decide what happens next, or just manage the consequences of decisions made somewhere else.
Sponsor Slot AvailableReach Salida Locals Every MorningGet your business in front of engaged local readers. Boat dealers, realtors, restaurants, contractors, home services your audience is reading this right now.Become a Sponsor
Ark Valley Voice
Maintenance Backlog Grows as Burgum and Cronies Divert Park Funds to Trump’s D.C. Vanity Projects
The Interior Department has blocked over 130 federally funded national park projects totaling at least $25 million, creating concerns about wildfire readiness and facility maintenance across the park system. The funding freeze is affecting critical repairs and operations at parks already dealing...
BV Trustees Approve Intergovernmental Agreements with Salida, County Law Enforcement
Buena Vista trustees voted to approve new separate agreements with the Chaffee County Sheriff's Office and Salida Police Department, replacing a previous arrangement that included all three law enforcement agencies. The agreements also included approval of a SWAT team arrangement.
EPA Rolls Back Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rules
The Environmental Protection Agency has eliminated emissions limits on greenhouse gases from power plants. The rollback removes protections aimed at reducing climate warming pollution from the electricity sector.
BV School Board Approves Construction Agreement for Track and Field
Buena Vista school board members authorized Superintendent Lisa Yates to finalize construction negotiations with Diesslin Structures Inc. for a track and field renovation project. The resolution grants her authority to complete the agreement and execute all related project documents.
Colorado County Clerks Association Responds to Supreme Court Ruling
Colorado's county clerks association responded to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that affirmed states, rather than the federal government or postal service, hold responsibility for administering elections. The association views the decision as supporting constitutional election authority.
Clearwave and Visionary Broadband Sign Agreement to Combine
Clearwave Fiber and Visionary Broadband announced they have signed a merger agreement combining their operations. The combined company will create an independent fiber platform serving 17 states with expanded high-speed internet access.
Sponsor Slot AvailableReach Salida Locals Every MorningGet your business in front of engaged local readers. Boat dealers, realtors, restaurants, contractors, home services your audience is reading this right now.Become a Sponsor
The Mountain Mail
Commissioners hear short-term rental update
Chaffee County commissioners received an update on short-term rentals showing 286 currently licensed properties against a cap of 310 and 17 pending applications. County planner Brandon Wolff reported that compliance inspections have improved significantly, with unpermitted construction cases...
Rural News Wire is a daily local news digest for Salida and rural America. We aggregate and curate, original reporting belongs to the sources linked above. Support local journalism by visiting their sites.
Subscribe free to get this digest in your inbox every morning.