- Salida faces large-scale rapid expansion, with ongoing and planned developments adding more than 2,021 new housing units since 2000 (per the City of Salida Residential Development Status as of Q3, 2024), plus 5-H (72), Mesa Ridge (17), and various town lots.
- In 2000, Salida had 2,748 residential units. This would be over 74% increase in residential units.
- Only a fraction (~25%) are restricted as workforce housing, most remain out of reach for local families and essential workers. (Less than 5% may qualify as affordable for lower incomes.)
- Salida’s population increased 9% since 2000, from 5,504 to 5,985. (US Census Bureau estimate 2025)
- New building is not scaled to known population growth patterns (74% vs. 9%) and often is incompatible with surrounding neighborhoods.
- In the vicinity of the 5-H parcel, over 150 units (Angel View Phase 2, West End, Crestone Ridge) have already been approved for development.
- No traffic studies done. Increased traffic congestion on Holman Ave, Poncha Ave, Grant St, Crestone Ave, Spruce St, Crestone Mesa Dr, and Cottonwood Circle.
- The preliminary Chaffee Regional Housing Needs Assessment, released in August 2026, recommends a 10-year target of building 636 homes to catch up and keep up with projected population and job growth. The city of Salida has already approved over 1,850, nearly three times that number.
This is not responsible growth. It is overshooting the city’s own target, then calling the next project “housing relief”. We need smarter development, not overdevelopment. Voting NO on the 5‑H zoning will send a signal that we need to rein in these excesses.
VOTE LIKE YOU STILL WANT TO RECOGNIZE SALIDA IN TEN YEARS.
