Salida Daily Digest Sunday, October 18, 2026
Ty's Take
The housing authority holding rents steady at Jane's Place and The 505 next year is the kind of news that doesn't make headlines scream, but it matters more than most people realize. When you've got young families and service workers getting priced out of the valley, when Front Range money keeps pushing everything higher, a landlord saying "we're going to keep it level" is actually taking a stand. Fire ballot 6A is asking voters to fund something we all depend on but don't think about until we need it. Looks like folks are paying attention early this year, with eleven percent of ballots already back. That's real engagement in a county that's trying hard to figure out how to stay itself while the world discovers it.
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Ark Valley Voice
Facing Realities: Christian Nationalism, From Local Messages to Political Action
A new examination of Christian nationalism in Chaffee County explores the line between personal faith influencing voting and political choices versus expecting public institutions to follow religious teachings. The distinction becomes critical when examining how religious participation shapes local...
Cartoonist Robert Kelly-Goss, a Minturn resident and former journalist, continues to find humor in political situations through his work as a political cartoonist. Kelly-Goss balances his career as an artist with commentary on current events.
Chaffee Housing Authority Proposes Holding Base Rents Steady at Jane’s Place and The 505 in 2027
The Chaffee Housing Authority announced it plans to keep base rents unchanged at Jane's Place and The 505 for 2027, though some tenants at The 505 may face adjustments when their leases renew. Executive Director Marjo Curgus presented the proposal during the authority's October 15 board meeting.
BV Trustees Approve Letter of Support for Chaffee Fire Ballot Issue 6A
The Buena Vista Board of Trustees passed a resolution supporting the town's inclusion in the Chaffee County Fire Protection District, which will appear as Ballot Issue 6A. Trustees committed to adjusting mill rates to manage tax impacts if voters approve the measure.
Eleven Percent of Chaffee County Ballots Are Already Returned
With ballots already being returned in Chaffee County, the region has reached a notable political shift with registered Democrats now outnumbering registered Republicans for the first time since at least 2014. County Clerk and Recorder Lori Mitchell reported the change in early October.
Letter to the Editor: Voting for “Wise Development”
A letter to the editor addresses Chaffee County Commissioner candidate Toby Taylor's focus on reducing electric and zoning code restrictions, arguing that eliminating building regulations would boost construction and housing affordability. The writer questions whether relaxing development rules...
History Lives: Chaffee County Passes Continue to Serve Travelers
A historical piece examines the mountain passes surrounding the Upper Arkansas River Valley and their role in settlement patterns long before modern transportation. The passes continue to serve as crucial routes connecting travelers to the region.
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The Mountain Mail
No Kings 4: Vote-a-Palooza at Riverside Park
Ark Valley Indivisible held its fourth No Kings protest on October 17 at Riverside Park to encourage early voting and assure residents that elections are secure. Organizations including Chaffee County's Immigrant Partnership Teams and the League of Women Voters participated in the event, which...
Proposed Love’s development met with backlash at community meeting
A proposed Love's Travel Stops & Country Stores development off U.S. 285 in Poncha Springs faced significant community opposition at an October 15 meeting, despite project managers redesigning it based on earlier feedback. Residents raised concerns about traffic, noise, and neighborhood impacts,...
Hawley awarded Chaffee Outdoor Service Association scholarship
Salida High School junior Jesse Hawley received a $2,000 scholarship from the Chaffee Outdoor Service Association on October 1 after completing 35 volunteer hours in eight months maintaining trails and facilities. Hawley, the organization's vice president, plans to pursue business or finance at...
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