Click HERE to see the press release for the Community Awards on February 28, 2025 from 5:30-8:00pm at the Chaffee County Fairgrounds.
Visit this page to see all the details, submit nominations, and purchase tickets!
Please read this article from the City of Salida Finance Director regarding information about ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of our community.
-Private English online tutoring
-One-On-One and small group English immersion classes for business professionals who need to improve language skills
-Flexible Hours
-Career Advancement
-Locally-based
Click HERE to see more details about Rice Tutoring/Working English
Check out Winter Specials at Absolute Bikes!
Service specials, Bike sales, and Demo Program!
A new year will be here soon and now is a great time to pull your Strategic Action Plan together!
Take action and book your complimentary one-hour strategic coaching session that will jump start your 2025 plan. The effort will leave you feeling even more focused and ready to address any concerns you may have about the future.
Applications are open for the first cohort of the Emerging Early Childhood Educators Program. If you have ever been interested in becoming an Early Childhood Professional and serving the children of Chaffee County please contact Sarah Romack at (719) 221-5114 or email her at sromack@ccecc.org. This program includes 18 credits of free ECE courses at CMC, coaching, career navigation and experience in an early childhood center.
Ark-Valley Humane Society (AVHS) is excited to announce their sixth annual Good Pet/Bad Portrait Fundraiser.
Anyone can submit photos containing up to two pets per submission starting Monday, February 10th through Sunday, February 23rd at https://www.ark-valley.org/events/good-pet-bad-portrait/. Submission fees start at $25 per portrait. Once completed, the volunteer artist will mail your pet’s portrait to you directly, or arrange for pick up at AVHS’s main location at 701 Gregg Drive in Buena Vista. There are a limited number of portraits available, so be sure to enter quickly while supplies last!
We’re offering 20% OFF our whitewater rafting day trips when you book before February 28th.
Our newest Clear Creek location is up and running for our second consecutive season in 2025. Our Arkansas River locations are celebrating over 50 years as one of the first Colorado whitewater outfitters.
Badfish Surf shop is reopening for the winter on January 31 ! Their hours are: Monday/Tuesday closed; Wednesday 11-5; Thursday 11-5; Friday 11-6; Saturday 11-6; Sunday 11-5. Visit them at 148 E. 1st Street in Salida!
Sign up for the following courses with Buena Vista Mountain Adventures: AIARE 1 – Snowshoe on Friday, February 07-09, 2025; and Women’s Intermediate Backcountry Skiing & Splitboarding on Saturday, March 1, 2025.
Snowpack Uncertainty Free Informative Talk – 02/11/2025 from 6:00-7:30 pm at Salida Mountain Sports 110 F St, Salida
AIARE 1: Decision Making in Avalanche Terrain is 02/21-23/2025, 8:00 AM – 4:00 at the Salida Steamplant Annex. This is a three-day / 24-hour introduction to avalanche hazard management. The deadline to register is Thursday, February 13th, 2025.
Snowpack Uncertainty
Join us for a FREE informative talk at Salida Mountain Sports on managing uncertainty in the snowpack. All backcountry enthusiasts welcome – skiers, splitboarders, snowmobilers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers. Buena Vista Mountain Adventures (BVMA) Owner, Tommy Gram-Ahlene will lead this community conversation. Learn about the 9 different avalanche problems and how to observe, manage, and make informed decisions when touring in the backcountry.
02/11/2025 from 6:00-7:30 pm
Salida Mountain Sports-110 F St, Salida
Who should attend: Anyone who enjoys winter backcountry recreation 🙂 This conversation will be most beneficial to those with prior avalanche education. RSVP Here.
The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) is reporting a substantial rise in respiratory illnesses, notably influenza (flu) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Increasing respiratory illnesses are affecting both Colorado and the broader United States, and rates of illness may continue to increase over the upcoming weeks. The CDC monitors respiratory illness activity using the “acute respiratory illness” metric, which currently categorizes Colorado at a high level.
Click Read more to see the Press Release.
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Bustang Outrider bus service connects rural Colorado to cities throughout the state. Outrider services eight routes across the state, including the Alamosa—Pueblo route.
Central Mountain SBDC, is thrilled to invite you to our upcoming series of live virtual and In-Person Workshops designed to empower you and supercharge your business growth.
The Chaffee Housing Authority invites you to participate in an important survey regarding affordable housing issues and a potential ballot measure this November. Click Read more to see how to participate in the survey.
Kayla Malone, Chaffee County’s Noxious Weed Department Director, has been named the 2024 Colorado Weed Manager of the Year in recognition of her “excellence in education and management of noxious weed species.” Kayla joined the County as assistant weed program supervisor in spring 2016 and was soon promoted to the Weed Department manager in December 2016, where she has led treatment of invasive plant species across Chaffee and Lake Counties for the past 8 years.
Please read the press release from Chaffee County Public Health confirming H5N1 Avian Influenza in local waterfowls.
Updated on Nov. 22, Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) is excited to announce the completion of its Access to Healthcare Survey which was conducted in collaboration with the League of Women Voters of Chaffee County. The survey, which was open from May 15th through July 31st, 2024, is meant to capture the strengths and opportunities for improvement of our local healthcare system while also giving valuable feedback to healthcare stakeholders so that they can make informed and strategic decisions about future programming and systems. CCPH received 1273 full responses to the survey and collected copious amounts of qualitative data. One key highlight is that all healthcare sectors were rated over 4.0 on a 5.0 scale. Another important point to note is that while there are significant perceived needs that exist related to the healthcare landscape in Chaffee County, overall, 76% of respondents said they are satisfied with their physical health while 80% state the same about their mental health.
See the Chaffee County Response to Federal Funding Risks written by the Chaffee County Board of County Commissioners.
The Chaffee Housing Authority, in cooperation with the City of Salida, is asking short term rental owners and vacation home owners within the City of Salida and the surrounding area to transition their short-term rentals, rarely-used vacation homes, unoccupied accessory dwelling units, or other under-used houses to a long-term rental for local workforce. If you or someone you know has a housing unit that is generally empty or generally hosts out-of-town visitors, the Chaffee Housing Authority would happily match your home with members of the local workforce who are unable to find rental homes in this unprecedented rental market. More information can be found by visiting the Chaffee Housing Authority’s website at www.chaffeehousingauthority.org and select the Open Doors Program for more information and to apply to participate in the program.
Check out the class offerings at Yoga Olas. In February: Men’s Yoga Series every Thursday from 5:30-6:45;
Yin/Reiki/Chakra Series – 2/14 & 2/28 – $55/session;
Full Primary Series with Tessie – 2/16; and
Lexee Handstand Workshop – 2/22- $30/person
Every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 5-6pm is After Action Coffee A Veteran’s Meetup! Come enjoy camaraderie, medical resources, vet programs, and coffee!
The Colorado Grain Summit is a 1-day conference on March 8th in Salida, CO organized by a dedicated planning committee of Colorado farmers, bakers, distillers, millers, and food businesses, led by the Colorado Grain Chain and RFBC. The event is designed to inspire diversified and sustainable pathways to greater market impact, featuring curated networking sessions and panel discussions that highlight innovative success stories across the grain supply chain.
This event is taking place directly following Guidestone’s 10th Annual AgriSummit for a full ag-packed weekend.
Attend both events and receive $10 off each! (Scholarships Available & Program Highlights Here).
The Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN) is a voluntary program that encourages, supports, and rewards organizations that make the move toward the goal of true, operational sustainability.
Their goal is to support organizations throughout the state at any level of implementation in increasing the efficiency and sustainability of their operation through assessing opportunities for growth, recognizing success, and providing connections to like-minded businesses throughout the state.
Come out to Tres Litros for Comedy on the Rocks, presented by Integrity Tattoo on February 26 at 7 pm with special guests Ben Roy and Nick Ellis! Click HERE to see the flyer! There will be a raffle to benefit the Heart of the Rockies Chamber of Commerce!
Sign up for a winter adventure with the Continental Divide Trail Coalition!
Ski With a Naturalist Adventure in partnership with GARNA @Monarch Mountain is on February 21 at 11 am.
Guided Snowshoe Adventure @ Waterdog Lakes is on March 8 at 9am.
Guided Cross Country Ski Adventure @ Silver Creek Trail is on April 5 at 9am.
Explore culture, access and our connections to the outdoors through engaging storytelling, workshops, performance and more. Breakfast and lunch included. Childcare will be provided on site. Transportation to and from the event is available upon request. This is a bilingual event with Spanish and English interpretation provided. **This is a free event, but please register**
Saturday, February 22nd from 9 AM – 5 PM
Location: 901 Hwy 24, Leadville, CO 80461 CMC Climax Building
Click to see News, Press Releases, and updates from the Forest Service.
Free basic medical, dental, and harm-reduction services. Salida United Methodist Church on Mondays from 12-4pm and Buena Vista Community Center on Tuesdays from 1-4pm. No appointment necessary.
Heart of the Rockies Radio is climbing higher in 2025 with the team you trust to support local businesses and strengthen our community. Thank you for making us the heart of your listening experience. Let’s make 2025 a majestic year!
Chaffee County Visitors Bureau (CCVB) invites you to share your vision for live music and music events through a statewide survey conducted by the Colorado Music Hall of Fame. This survey aims to gather diverse perspectives to help craft a comprehensive music tourism strategy that will guide Colorado’s music industry forward. Results from the statewide survey will be customized for Chaffee County if a minimum of 100 responses are received from our county.
Adults & Children Ages 5+…Give us a try!
Your first 2 classes are FREE! Visit highcountryjiujitsu.com or call 571-334-8719
Kim’s Gym aims to be a healthy, supportive community for all ages. Whether you’re just starting your fitness journey or have years of experience.
Enjoy a variety of group fitness classes and workout in a fun, friendly, group environment. Classes include HIIT, Senior Circuit, Mat Pilates, Yoga and Strength. Check out our full schedule HERE!
Kim’s Gym is offering a new class that is an inspirational, motivational, and empowering workout for women and young girls of all ages.
This calisthenics based workout will build self-esteem, self-worth and self-love through mindful exercise and motivational speech. It is a workout that encourages personal growth, bravery and confidence. Light weights and body weight are used for resistance.
Click Read More to learn about class information for Laura’s Dog Training classes!
There is a great need for licensed childcare in Chaffee County, especially for infants and toddlers. Please help us mend this childcare crisis and become a licensed home childcare provider!
Get your Wings Pass starting February 18! Ski this season and next season!
“Salida’s newest dining experience, Shavano, opens early March food, wine, beer”.
Follow along on Instagram @friendsofshavano for updates as we prepare the space and perfect our craft.
The Region 15 Opioid Settlement Governance Committee is now accepting grant applications from eligible organizations to support substance use disorder prevention specifically for youth programs.
An optional pre-application webinar will be held Thursday, February 13th, 10:00-11:00 AM. Interested organizations should submit the required attachments by March 20th, 2025.
The Parent Toolkit for Kids class will be running on Monday nights, 5:30pm-7:30pm, from January 27th-February 24th at the Boys and Girls Club in Salida.
This class is designed for parents and caregivers of children ages 9-14, to help them support their kids in making good choices.
Great news! We have an additional private treatment room so that our clients can rehabilitate in a safe environment with one on one care from my staff!
We have a great NEWSLETTER and it is free….. Just go to Website: www. arkansasvalleyPT.com to sign up today!
10 Day full sessions for only $500 AND demo gear available at no extra cost. Click to see more info!
Don’t miss the Metal Art Sale at Salida Garden Supply, located at 1242 C Street in Salida! Enjoy 20% off all metal art and explore their incredible collection of unique and colorful pieces. It’s the perfect opportunity to add charm and character to your home or yard!
The Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center is excited to invite local businesses to participate in its new Community Partner Pass Program. This program offers businesses the opportunity to purchase discounted day passes, which they can resell for profit or use as part of customer promotions or employee perks.
Salida Mountain Trails (SMT) is launching a new program this spring to teach mountain bike skills to local youth.
The program, Salida Youth Cycling (SYC) is a continuation of the well-established Absolute Youth Cycling (AYC) program. This new chapter ensures the legacy of AYC will continue to inspire and empower the next generation of riders in the Salida community, with SMT aiming to grow the program to provide even more opportunities for young cyclists to develop their skills, confidence, and love for biking.
SYC will offer two six-week-long courses, one in the spring (April 4 – May 9) and one in the fall (dates TBD). Registration for the spring session will open on March 4th at 8:00am.
Courses provide guided instruction from licensed bike coaches and many passionate volunteers. Classes are broken into groups based on school grade, ranging from first through eighth grade.
At Salida Pharmacy & Fountain, we strive to find new ways to help our community with their health. That’s why we’re excited to announce our new membership program, SimpleStep! This program is designed to help save time and money. We all know employee retention is one of the most challenging aspects of running a business and our membership plan could be a cost-effective benefit offered to your employees to assist with employee retention. With SimpleStep, your employees will have access to valuable benefits, including: Preventative health screenings to help manage chronic conditions, In-pharmacy diagnostic test and treatment for flu, strep, COVID-19, UTIs, and more, 800+ commonly prescribed medications at no cost, Discounts on recommended vaccines, Discounts on over-the-counter items and vitamins in the store, and much more…We have two options for employers. Option 1 is to sponsor our membership plan for your employees and provide this membership as a benefit. Option 2 is to set up a referral program for your employees in which they would get a discount on the monthly membership fee if they chose to sign up. Click HERE to see a flyer that provides more information about our plan. If this sounds like it might be a good fit for your business I would be glad to schedule a meeting to discuss further (contact info is on the flyer!).
FREE CAR SEATS!
“Dad’s” Car Seat Program continues at the Salida Pregnancy Resource Center. We still have car seats to gift to Dads for infants up to one year of age in the Salida, Buena Vista, and surrounding areas. To register for the program, contact the Salida Pregnancy Resource Center at 719-539-7436 or visit the Center at 215 East Third Street. The Center is open Monday 10-3p, Wednesday 12-5p, Thursday 12-5p, Friday 11-4p, closed on Tuesday and Federal Holidays. To read the full press release, click here!
Hop aboard the Ski Bus Fridays & Saturdays this Winter!
Departs from Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center at 8:15 AM and leaves Monarch Mountain at 3:30 PM
Tickets must be purchased in advance due to limited seating.
Riders 10+ may ride unaccompanied; under 10 must have an adult.
No food, drink, or smoking allowed. Plan ahead and hit the slopes hassle-free!
AN OPPORTUNITY TO GROW WITH US! We are SERVPRO in Salida, and we’re seeking an able-bodied individual for the position of Restoration Technician. If you have basic computer skills and if you have some hands-on experience in any of the following: emergency clean-up services, construction, building maintenance, janitorial, carpet cleaning, painting, landscaping, or another property service and are willing to learn, this could be your ideal opportunity.
If you are a business owner looking to retire in the next few years, you’ll be happy to know that there are more options now than ever. Most folks try to sell their business to a manager, someone in town, or even someone looking to move into town. When those buyers just aren’t there or can’t afford it, selling the business can feel impossible. A great option to consider is selling it to multiple employees at once. One employee might find ownership expensive and a big burden, but 3 or more employees getting together can open up new doors. The state of Colorado has funding to help rural businesses explore and implement this option, through a statewide nonprofit: the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center. There are already hundreds of businesses in the state that continue to be successful after selling to employees. Give Marion a call or send her an email, the Rocky Mountain Employee Ownership Center will be happy to chat with you at no cost. They also hold monthly webinars and have online resources if you would like to know a little more first.
Synergy in the Service Industry, a local nonprofit, has teamed up with the Yay Foundation to present Stand Up for Mental Health on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 6:00 PM at A Church in Salida. This exciting event aims to break the stigma surrounding mental health and promote open conversation, featuring comedy performances by local talent alongside Aidan Park, the Yay Foundation’s founder. In the lead-up to the event, the Yay Foundation will host three workshops to help food and beverage workers craft their own 5-minute comedy sets, encouraging vulnerability and connection through humor. The evening will also include a resource fair with local organizations and a drawing to raise funds for mental health sessions, further supporting this vital cause.
440 TONS is a lot of organic wastebut it’s still only a fraction of what ends up in our rural Colorado landfills each year. Read our full annual report for more stats! In 2025, we’re committed to expanding compost service so that more households, restaurants and schools have access to food waste diversion. Want to help?! It’s as easy as telling your friends and neighbors how simple it is to compost with Elements. Word of mouth is our best marketing tool and YOU can play a role in making our communities more sustainable!
