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.

The Chaffee County population estimate for the year 2001 was 16,520. For the period from 1990 to 2000 the population increased by 28%.

Traced through Internal Revenue Service records over the past eight years, by far, from 1992 to 2000, the state sending the most new inhabitants to Colorado has been California with a migration of almost 111,041. 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.

Biking, Camping, Climbing the Fourteeners, Fishing, Four Wheeling/ATV's/Motorcycling, Golfing, Hiking, Horseback Riding, Hunting, Rock Climbing, Skateboarding, Snowmobiling, Snowshoeing, Skiing/Snowboarding, Whitewater Rafting & Kayaking, Antiques, Cinemas, Hot Springs, Rock Hounding and Shopping are some of the more popular ones.

Salida weather is enough to melt the heart of any winter-weary northerner. Most things climatic; rain, snow, cold, heat, humidity, come in delightful moderation, except for the 330 average days of sunshine Salida gets a year.

The area is often referred to as the "Banana Belt," because it is not uncommon to go skiing on a January morning and play a round of golf or go bicycling in the afternoon. Salida is bordered on all sides by mountains which have a profound effect on it's climate. Average snowfall in the valley is 43 inches, while in the surrounding mountains our local ski area boasts 400 inches or more.

Annual rainfall in the valley is 9 to 10 inches, and residents can anticipate sunshine with humidity in the 20 to 30 range most of the time. The average high temperature for January is 49 degrees F. Nighttime temperatures average 19 degrees F but can drop well below 0 degrees F and usually do a few times each winter.

July is the hottest month, with daily average high temperatures of 88 degrees F. Rarely does one experience temperatures over 90 degrees F in Salida, and the nights usually cool off into the 50s.