Living in Salida, Colorado

In this episode of Living in Salida, Monica McCarthy chats with Marjo Curgus, the interim Director from the Chaffee County Housing Authority. Chaffee County is in a desirable mountain area with limited inventory and home prices that have risen over the years, causing a challenge for many to afford homes. The Chaffee County Housing Authority is working to help with this challenge as a multi-jurisdictional housing authority working a...

In this episode of Living in Salida, Monica McCarthy chats with Jessica Downing; the Interim Director for GARNA (Greater Arkansas River Nature Association) GARNA is an environmental nonprofit organization founded in 1996 as a cooperative association for the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area for education and stewardship and works with communities of the Upper Arkansas River Valley.

If you're interested in connecting with M...

In this episode of Living in Salida, Monica McCarthy chats with Scott Hughes, founder of FUN Street Family Arcade. A longtime local and former Boys & Girls Club mentor, Scott shares how he turned a simple idea into a vibrant downtown space for fun, connection, and belonging.

From launching a business in a small town to creating a place where all ages feel welcome, this is the story behind one of Salida’s most joyful community hu...

Living in Salida returns with Monica McCarthy for Season 2, Episode 4!

In this episode of Living in Salida, we shine a spotlight on the town’s thriving theater and arts scene with the legendary Jan Justis. From international ballet stages to founding her own dance company, Jan brings decades of creative experience to Salida. She shares what drew her to this mountain town, her current work with the Salida Theater Project, and how the...

Living in Salida returns with Monica McCarthy for Season 2, Episode 3!

This week Monica talks with Sheri Sauthoff, a retired nurse who moved to Salida from the front range several years ago. Salida is known as having a robust and active retired community. As of 2023 over 12% of the population is 55-64 and over 7% is 65-74. Yahoo Finance also voted Salida, CO as the best town to retire in Colorado. They discuss topics such as m...

Living in Salida returns with Monica McCarthy for Season 2, Episode 2!

This week Monica talks with Salida Montessori's, Courtney Landry. Courtney is the Head of School for the Salida Montessori Charter School (SMCS) and mother of 3 children. If you're interested in early education, are a parent here or thinking of raising your kids in Chaffee County, this is a good episode for you. Monica and Courtney discuss topics such as ...

Living in Salida returns with Monica McCarthy for Season 2!

This week Monica talks with Lane Willson one of the founders and owners of Oveja Negra, a company located in Salida that designs, manufactures and sells top-shelf bikepacking bags. They discuss what it takes to make a small business thrive in Salida and how the biking culture is in town. Monica and Lane also connect when it comes to ecstatic dance at Tonic Studio in Sal...

If you’re thinking about retiring in Salida, curious about its rich history, or want a deeper insight into the town’s vibrant community, this episode is for you!

In our final episode of Season 1, we’re sitting down with long-time resident and local legend, Jack Chivvis. Jack wears many hats in Salida—he’s an artist, musician, historian, and runs Chivvis & Lovell Studios with his wife, Linda. Together, they’ve made their mark on ...

In this episode, we’re sitting down with Katie Maher, a talented artist whose vibrant presence has made waves in the Salida art scene. Katie’s journey is a fascinating one—she started as a tattoo artist and transitioned into fine art, developing a unique style she calls "fractured art." Her distinctive work breaks down images into geometric shapes, creating a mesmerizing effect of color and movement. In addition to her gall...

Welcome to the Living in Salida Podcast! I'm Monica McCarthy, your host and a local Realtor. In this podcast, we explore what it's really like to live, work, and play in our small mountain town. While most episodes feature guest perspectives, today I’m sharing my own on a topic close to my heart: raising kids in Salida.

As a parent of a 4-year-old, my husband and I moved here from Denver in 2017, drawn by Salida's close-...

In this episode, we’re sitting down with a familiar face and a local favorite—Sarah Gartzman. If you’ve spent any time in Salida, you’ve likely heard of Sweeties Sandwich Shop or The Biker & The Baker, both owned by Sarah and her husband, Rob. Known for their award-winning sandwiches, desserts, and even more impressive community involvement, Sarah and Rob have truly left their mark on this town.

Today, we talk with Sarah about h...

In today's episode I chat with local artist, Michael Clark. Michael is an award-winning impressionist painter with a studio right in the heart of downtown Salida CO on F Street.

Michael and I go way back—I had the pleasure of helping him and his partner Molly find their home in Salida back in May 2020. We reminisce about looking at homes during the height of the pandemic, complete with masks and disinfectant wipes. Such a crazy ...

Hey everyone, Monica McCarthy here, your local realtor for Salida and the surrounding areas. In today’s episode, I’m covering everything you need to consider before buying property in our rural mountain community.

From the high prices of downtown Salida to more affordable options in neighboring towns like Nathrop and Poncha Springs, I’ve got you covered.

We’ll touch on important factors like neighborhood features, million-dollar moun...

In this episode, I’m thrilled to introduce Rachel Bove, a local powerhouse whose story embodies the spirit of Salida. Rachel is the owner of Lotic Salon in downtown Salida, where she’s known for her expertise in cut and color. But her influence doesn’t stop at the salon door. She’s also the co-founder of the Salida Women in Business Group, a devoted mother of two young girls, the wife of a Salida native and Salida homeowner with re...

In this episode of Living in Salida I sit down with Paul Byars—Salida native, local musician, carpenter, and all-around dynamo of our community. Known for his role as the most recent commodore of the FIBArk Whitewater Festival, Paul is, in my opinion, Salida’s unofficial ambassador. His energy and enthusiasm for our town are truly infectious.

In our chat, Paul takes us on a journey through his life in Salida, starting with his origi...

In this episode I chat with Ben Goldfarb, an award-winning environmental journalist and one of Salida’s own.

Ben is the author of the award-winning book Eager: The Surprising Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter.

His latest release, Crossings: How Road Ecology Is Shaping the Future of Our Planet, has also received widespread acclaim, including nods from the New York Times and Science News, and has won the Sierra Club’s 2024 Rac...

In this episode of Living in Salida, we’re focusing on essential mortgage tips for home buyers.

I’m excited to share insights with Jess Fisher, a mortgage broker at Peakview Mortgage and a US Army Veteran. Jess brings a wealth of experience to the table, offering valuable advice on securing the best mortgage for your home purchase.

In this episode, Jess shares his fascinating journey to Salida, from his initial draw to this charming ...

Join me as I chat with Laura Williams, a Salida resident who wears many hats—from Doctor of Physical Therapy to founder of Hearth Healing, a business dedicated to supporting pre and postpartum women in their journey through pregnancy and birth.

Laura's passion for her work as a Board-Certified Women's Health Clinical Specialist shines through as she talks about her experiences at Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center ...

Join me as I sit down with Tim Brown, a renowned Salida resident, photographer, homeowner, and active community member.

We delve into Tim's journey from the early 1980s when he first arrived in Salida, reminiscing about the quaint town and its affordable home prices back then.

Discover how Salida has evolved and adapted to growth over the decades, all while retaining its unique charm through Tim's eyes.

Tim shares his fascinat...