Temple Baptist Life

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About Salida, Colorado

Salida – the heart, soul and seat of Chaffee County – anchors the Upper Arkansas River Valley in central Colorado. Although flanked by majestic 14,000-foot snow capped peaks, at just over 7,000 feet in elevation, Salida enjoys a surprisingly mild climate that some refer to as the Banana Belt. Settle into Salida and its relaxed pace, hometown ways and world-class recreational opportunities and you may never want to leave home. But if you do, Salida is perfectly situated for those who want to be in close proximity to the more urban amenities afforded by Colorado’s Front Range communities.

Salida, Colorado is bordered on all sides by mountains which have a profound effect on it’s climate. 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 Salida, Colorado and the valley are much milder than surrounding communities such as Alamosa and Gunnison. The average high temperature for January is 49. Night time temperatures average 19 but can drop well below 0? and usually do a few times each winter. July is the hottest month with daily average high temperatures of 77. Rarely does one experience temperatures over 90 in Salida and the nights usually cool off into the 60′s.

Salida- History

The History of Salida, Colorado 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 Salida, Colorado 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.