Salida Daily Digest Friday, September 25, 2026
Ty's Take
Light snow, low water, fewer visitors—that's the trinity that hits this valley every couple years, and this season it's all three at once. The Arkansas isn't running the kind of volume that brings the rafters and kayakers who keep our summer lights on, the snow didn't stack up the way the ski towns needed it, and word travels fast enough now that when conditions are thin, the Front Range crowd just stays home. Our business owners have been through lean winters before, but there's something different about a lean winter that follows a summer of record housing costs and a fall full of talk about how many people want to move here. You can handle a slow season when you know it's temporary. You start to wonder what it means when you wonder if the people who built this place can still afford to stay.
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Ark Valley Voice
Ark Valley Voice Announces the Winners of our Drawing for Smalltown Gathering Passes
Sheena O'Hara and Jenny Varden, both from Salida, have won the Ark Valley Voice drawing for Smalltown Gathering three-day passes. Each winner receives two tickets valid for the three-day event, selected through a random drawing.
The Outdoor Recreation Workforce Consortium has released policy recommendations aimed at strengthening America's 5.2 million outdoor workers. The new report, titled "Building a Thriving Workforce for America," calls for the outdoor recreation industry to be officially recognized as its own distinct...
History Lives: The Lake County Wars 1874-1881
Lake County experienced significant upheaval during the 1874-1881 period as it was reapportioned from Colorado's largest county into one of its smallest. The chaotic process included the 1879 split that created Chaffee County, named after territorial figure Jerome B. Chaffee.
CCPH Prepares for Respiratory Illness Season 26-27
Chaffee County Public Health is urging residents to get vaccinated as respiratory illness season approaches, noting that confirmed influenza A cases have already appeared in the county. The health department has mapped out local vaccination options to help residents access flu, RSV, and COVID-19...
Pettersen Stresses Healthcare Access in her Reelection Messaging
House Seventh District Representative Brittany Pettersen is emphasizing healthcare access as a key issue in her reelection campaign. She is questioning what would happen to constituents who lost their health insurance, framing the issue as a critical concern for voters.
New Poll of Rural Voters Shows Half Believe Economy is Worsening
A new poll conducted by the Associated Press in partnership with KKF shows that approximately half of rural American voters believe the economy has worsened. The survey documents economic pain being felt across rural communities nationwide.
Road Closure for BV High School Homecoming Parade to Impact Traffic Thursday
The Town of Buena Vista will close East Main Street, South Railroad Street, and Marquette Avenue from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 24 for the Buena Vista High School homecoming parade, which begins at 5:30 p.m. Additional homecoming events will continue Friday and Saturday.
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The Mountain Mail
Embracing Aging Expo presents opportunities to improve lifestyle
The 2026 Embracing Aging Expo held September 11 at Chaffee County Fairgrounds featured new activities and partners focused on helping older adults live healthier lives based on "Blue Zones" principles. The event included movement activities, plant-based meals, health scans at Salida Pharmacy and...
Healthbeat: CCPH prepares for respiratory illness season 2026-27
Chaffee County Public Health is preparing for the 2026-27 respiratory illness season and has multiple vaccine options available for influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. The department recommends October as the ideal time for flu shots, though high-risk individuals can get vaccinated earlier.
Light snow, low water, fewer visitors: Salida businesses weather tough tourism season
Salida's tourism season has slowed significantly due to low snowpack, reduced river flows, regional wildfire smoke, and economic shifts, with lodging tax revenue down 26% from January to July compared to 2025. Many downtown business owners report relying heavily on summer tourism revenue and are...
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