About Salida Colorado

Climate - Demographics - History - Location

Welcome to: "Colorado's Art of Adventure"

Climate

Salida is bordered on all sides by mountains which have a profound effect on it's climate. Local real time Salida weather conditions are now online. Average snowfall in the valley is 50 inches, while in the surrounding mountains our local ski area boasts 400 inches or more. Annual rainfall in the valley is 10 to 12 inches and residents can anticipate 330 days of sunshine with humidity in the 20 to 30 percent range, making it comparable to places such as Tucson, Arizona. Even with the low precipitation and numerous days of sunshine the valley appears lush due to the surrounding high peaks' considerably higher amounts of precipitation. That, coupled with the extensive annual snowmelt from the mountains, provide the valley with a comprehensive irrigation system during the growing season. Temperatures in the valley are much milder than surrounding communities such as Alamosa and Gunnison. The average high temperature for January is 49°F. Night time temperatures average 19°F but can drop well below 0°F and usually do a few times each winter. July is the hottest month with daily average high temperatures of 77°F. Rarely does one experience temperatures over 90°F in Salida and the nights usually cool off into the 60's. A comprehensive compilation of climate data can be obtained from the Colorado Climate Center website at: http://ulysses.atmos.colostate.edu/Access.html

Demographics

Traced through Internal Revenue Service records over the past eight years, by far, from 1990 to 1997, the state sending the most new inhabitants to Colorado has been California with a migration of almost 110,000. Texas, New York and Illinois follow with 18,927; 16,090 and 15,410 respectively. These figures come as no surprise. For years it has been the general feeling that Colorado is seeing a heavy migration from California. What is something of a surprise is that many of the newcomers to Colorado settle in the metro areas. The move to the suburbs and outlying areas is being driven substantially by the exodus of existing residents to more rural areas, including Chaffee County. The general pattern expected to be reflected in the 2000 census is that newcomers move to the city, city dwellers are moving to the suburbs and suburban residents are moving to nearby outlying areas. Although Chaffee county is just outside those "nearby outlying areas," it is still showing the effects of the same trend. In Chaffee County, it was reported that in the eight years from 1990 to 1997, some 2,217 people moved into the county. Of this total, 38% or 834 people came from within Colorado and the balance came from other states.

Due to the banana belt like climate, the vastly improved medical facilities and the relatively affordable housing market, Chaffee County has recently become a retirement community. Chaffee county still represents a wide array of age groups and backgrounds.

History

The History of Salida and the surrounding area is a rich mix of many influences. The area was originally settled by the Ute Indians, for whom many of the local mountain peaks are named. Chaffee County was established in 1879 and named for Jerome Chaffee, a United States Senator and local investor. Early in its history the area experienced an influx of explorers, miners, railroad expansionists, farmers and ranchers. The influence of each has dwindled over the years, but their mark in the history of the area is evident throughout the valley.

Location

Chaffee County is on the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains in central Colorado. Bordered on the west by the Sawatch Range, including the 14,000 foot Continental Divide, the eastern boundary of the county follows the Mosquito Range, descending toward the south. Located high in the Upper Arkansas Valley, the Arkansas River flows toward the southeast, between the two mountain ranges.

The area is the crossroads for the three interstate highways: U.S. 24, 50 and 285. Driving distance from Denver is approximately 144 miles, 102 miles from Colorado Springs and Pueblo, and 65 miles from Gunnison. The elevation of the area ranges from just under 7,000 to over 14,000 feet on its highest peaks, providing some of the most spectacular views to be seen anywhere in the world. In fact, Chaffee County has more mountain peaks of 14,000-foot or more than any other county in Colorado and is often referred to as the "Fourteener" Region.

Data provided by the Salida Chamber of Commerce