FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! If you would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please contact Ryan Wiegman, the Recreation Supervisor, at ryan.wiegman [at] cityofsalida.com (ryan[dot]wiegman[at]cityofsalida[dot]com) to discuss sponsorship or donation opportunities.

Found property is sometimes turned into the Salida Police Department. If a driver's license is found and turned into the front office, we will make every attempt to contact the owner. If we are able to contact the owner, the license can then be mailed or picked up.

You are always welcome to call the Salida Police Department whenever you lose an item. Quite frequently, the item is turned in, undisturbed.

If your lost item has not been found, you can call the Mountain Mail Newspaper (719-539-6691) to:

• Find out if has been turned into their office.
• Place a free “lost” ad in the classified ad section describing your item, place and date lost.

Currently, our Private Soaking Pools are open for public use. Sign up by following this https://www.amilia.com/store/en/city-of-salida-recreation/shop/programs…

Scholarships are available for each calendar quarter:

• 1st Quarter: January 1 – March 31
• 2nd Quarter: April 1 – June 30
• 3rd Quarter: July 1 – September 30
• 4th Quarter: October 1 – December 31

Applications must be submitted at least one week before program registration closes, and scholarships are not retroactive.

The Salida Police Department does not fingerprint adults.  Contact the Chaffee County Records Department at 719-539-2814 for more information.

Bicycle registration is no longer offered. It is highly recommended that bicycle owners take a photo of their bicycle and copy the serial number for your own records. If your bike is ever stolen/recovered, this will make it much easier to track and identify.

The Police Department will have an officer do a civil stand-by for up to 10 minutes. Arrangements need to be made several hours in advance, if possible, by calling Dispatch at 719-539-2596. Examples of use: divorce, eviction, child custody, or parent/child argument.

Yes! 

Yes, you can use the scholarship for multiple programs within the same quarter, up to the $100 cap. However, you will need to register separately for each program you wish to attend.

Scholarships can be used for the following:

• Salida Recreation activities, programs, events, drop-in or session programs, and Aquatic Day passes.

Scholarships cannot be used for:

• Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center Memberships and Access Passes.
• Park rentals or point-of-sale items.

No, scholarships are capped at $100 per person, per quarter, and unused funds do not carry over to the next quarter.

There are no lights in this phase of completion. Lights are being considered for Phase 2, which requires additional funding. 

The Salida Police Records Departments has taken over Records beginning January 2022.  Please contact the Records Department at 719-530-2618 or records [at] salidapolice.com (records[at]salidapolice[dot]com).

Chaffee County Records Department holds all City and County Records prior to 2022. For any case reports for 2021 or older, contact the Records Department (719-539-2814) and give them your case number. Please note: there is a small fee for case reports.

Follow these steps to apply:

1. Complete the Salida Recreation Scholarship application.
2. Attach proof of participation in a need-based assistance program and proof of residency in Chaffee County. Accepted proof of residency includes utility bills, pay stubs, bank statements, insurance policies, or a letter from a non-profit agency on official letterhead.
3. Submit your application:
   • Drop it off or mail it to the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center at 410 W. Hwy 50, Salida, CO 81201.
   • Email it to ryan.wiegman [at] cityofsalida.com (ryan[dot]wiegman[at]cityofsalida[dot]com).
   • Or fill out the online application form here.

Note: Only one application per family is required.

To create an account, visit www.cityofsalida.com and click the orange button that says "Sign up to Swim". This will take you to a new page, where you will see class options and a blue button in the right hand corner called "My Account". Click on that button and it will take you through the steps on how to make your own Parks and Recreation account. 

Visit the website for the State of Colorado Judicial Branch where you can find all protection order information and forms.

If you need help or have questions about completing the restraining order packet, call 719-539-4251.

The City of Salida no longer requires dog or cat licenses. A voluntary registration program is available through the Arkansas Valley Humane Society if you wish to register your pet. Including your pet in the AVHS database can help reconnect you with your pet in the event he or she is ever lost.

Scholarships are made possible through donations and sponsorships from local businesses, community members, and organizations. The total scholarship funds available each quarter depend on these donations. Once funds are depleted, no further scholarships will be awarded for that quarter.

The skatepark is free to open-skaters. Private rental for a fee is currently under consideration.

Yes, all personal information provided in the application will be kept confidential. Scholarship status will not be shared with coaches, instructors, or program leaders.

You must respond to the parking citation within fourteen (14) days of the date of the violation. You may pay the fine or request a Court date. Failure to pay the fine within 14 days or set a date to dispute the citation will result in a $25 late fee added to the fine and/or a summons and complaint being issued for you (municode may change).

If you signed at the bottom of your citation in the PENALTY ASSESSMENT box, you have the option to pay the fine without having to appear in court. Payments received by the Court before 4 p.m. on the 20th day from the date of your citation are eligible for point reduction. Payments received after the 20 days will result in the full amount of points listed on the citation to be assessed against your Colorado Driver License (please review the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles page with further questions regarding point reductions). If you fail to pay the fine in full by 4 p.m. on the day prior to your court hearing, you must appear in Court on the date and time shown on your citation.

You may choose to appear on the Court date and time listed on your citation instead of paying the fine in order to exercise your right to:

• Request a continuance from the Judge if you need more time to seek legal counsel.
• Plead ‘Not Guilty’, at which time the Judge will set a date and time to return to Court for a Bench Trial before the Judge or, if eligible, a jury trial.

Speak to the Prosecutor about your case for a possible plea deal.

Whether you choose to speak to the Prosecutor is entirely your decision. Please keep in mind that the Prosecutor is not your attorney; that what you say to the Prosecutor cannot be used against you during Trial if you later decide to plead Not Guilty. While the Prosecutor has the authority to offer a plea deal, the Prosecutor is under no legal obligation to much an offer.

• The Prosecutor has the authority to decide which cases should be prosecuted and which cases should be dismissed.
• The Prosecutor has the authority to allow you to plead guilty to less serious charges and make recommendations to the Judge about fines and/or points assessed against your Driver license, or possible Community Service in lieu of, or in addition to, fines and fees.
• In some cases, the Prosecutor may recommend that a case be handled with a Deferred Judgment and Sentence. This is a unique agreement in which a defendant pleads guilty but is not sentenced immediately by the Court; instead the case is continued for sentencing to a later date, which may be three, six or twelve months in the future. If the defendant keeps promises contained within the Deferred Judgment and Sentence Agreement during this period of time, then, on the sentencing date, the plea of Guilty is withdrawn and the case dismissed.  If the defendant fails to keep these promises, he will be immediately brought back to Court and sentenced by the Judge.  The promises made to the Court on a Deferred Judgment and Sentence may vary depending on the type of case.
• If you wish to speak with an attorney after discussing your case with the Prosecutor, the court will grant you a continuance to do so. Plea bargain offers made by the Prosecutor will not be withdrawn because you wish to consult an attorney and will remain open through your next court appearance.

If you signed at the bottom of your citation in the SUMMONS box, you must appear at the date and time listed on the citation. If you live 100 miles or more from the Salida area, please contact the Court Clerk at 719-530-2629 to set up a telephone advisement.  Failure to appear will result in a Bench Warrant being issued for your arrest.

Misdemeanor Criminal Cases, Traffic Offenses, Parking and Code Violations issued by the Salida Police Department (SPD).  The maximum penalty for any summons in this Court is a $2,650 fine.  Please review the City's Municipal Code for a more detailed description of the types of cases handled and possible penalties. 

Citations issued by the State Patrol, Chaffee County Sheriff, as well as some specific City Police matters, are heard at the Chaffee County Combined Courts.  Your citation will state where you are to appear for Court. For questions regarding a case at the Salida Municipal Court please call the Court Clerk at 719-530-2629; for questions regarding a case at the Chaffee County Combined Courts, please contact the Chaffee County Court Clerk at 719-539-2661 x30424.
 

Skatepark is open 30 minutes before sunrise and 60 minutes after sunset.

Helmets, knee and elbow pads, and shoes are required

Use of this facility is at YOUR OWN RISK

No food or beverages are allowed on the skating surface

No smoking or vaping is allowed

Users provide and maintain their own equipment in good working order

Park privileges may be revoked for rowdy behavior or breaking the rules

No makeshift items or modifications to existing ramps is permitted

Only ONE user is ever permitted in the bowl at one time

Rule Violation is punishable by Salida City Ordinance

Emergency Number: 911

 

All memberships and punch passes that were purchased prior to March 13th are being placed on hold until the Aquatic Center is fully open with all of its amenities open to the public. 

In its place, you can purchase an 10 punch “Access Pass” for $5 a pass or purchase a single “Drop In” visit for $6. 

• Failure to provide proof of insurance is a summonsable offense. However, if you can provide proof of insurance for the vehicle on the date and time of the citation, the Court can dismiss the charge of No Proof of Insurance and the fines related to that charge. If you fail to provide proof to the Municipal Court Clerk before 4 p.m. on the day prior to your Court date you must appear in Court.
• If you were cited for other charges in addition to Failure to Provide Proof of Insurance, you will need to appear in court and/or pay fines related to those charges. Please call the Court Clerk at 719-530-2629 if you have questions regarding other charges on your citation.

• If you were NOT insured at the time of the citation but have since purchased insurance, you MUST appear in Court on the date and time shown on your citation. However, the Prosecutor will generally reduce the $500 fine by half to $250 if a copy of your insurance is presented to, and verified by, the Court. All other charges listed on the citation will be adjudicated when you appear.

• If you email or present a copy of a current registration to the Court Clerk to verify, even if it was not active at the time you were cited, the Court can dismiss the charge of Unregistered Vehicle and the related fine. If, however, you have failed to register the vehicle and fail to provide proof by 4 p.m. the day prior to your scheduled Court date, you must appear for Court.
• If you were cited for other charges in addition to Unregistered Vehicle, you will need to appear in court and/or pay fines related to those charges. Please call the Court Clerk at 719-530-2629 if you have questions regarding any other charges on your citation.

• If you email or bring a copy of the registration to the Court Clerk to verify, the Court can dismiss the charge of Unregistered Vehicle and fines related to that charge. If, however, you fail to provide proof of registration or fail to pay the fine in full by 4 p.m. the day prior to your scheduled Court date, you must appear for Court.
• If you were cited for other charges in addition to Unregistered Vehicle, you will need to appear in court and/or pay fines related to those charges. Please call the Court Clerk at 719-530-2629 if you have questions regarding other charges on your citation.

The bricks have been created and the fundraiser is complete. They will be laid as part of Phase 2 or sooner.

The Salida Recreation Scholarship offers financial assistance of up to $100 per individual, per quarter for eligible participants. These funds can be used for activities such as Camp Friday, swim lessons, league participation, Aquatic Day passes, and drop-in or session-based programs at the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center.

Scholarships are available for up to $100 per individual, per quarter. Unused funds do not roll over to the next quarter.

We require everyone pre-register for their time at the Hot Springs Aquatic Center to ensure we do not go over our COVID-19 capacity limit and to ensure that we maintain contact tracing.

Every hour and a half, the Hot Springs Aquatic Center closes to the public for thirty minutes. During this time, our lifeguards and front desk workers disinfect the Aquatic Center so it is ready for the next group of people to come in.

Since closing our doors, we have been working to deep clean our entire facility, create a new COVID-19 front desk and lobby, upgrade the locker rooms and implement a new registration software.

Currently there are amenities that will not be available to the public. These amenities include locker rooms, diving board, and climbing wall. 

Please note that due to COVID-19 health guidelines, there will be a few things that we need your help with before you enter our facility: 

1. Shower beforehand to keep our hot springs water clean.

2. Arrive dressed for swimming- our locker rooms are not available for public use.

3. Wear a mask into the facility, be mindful of the facility's social distance markers and your reservation lane when you arrive. 

4. Cancel if you do not feel well! Your health and safety is the utmost priority for us.

Phase 1 Complete 8/21/21: skateable area, sidewalk connecting Holman Ave to the Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center. Skatepark pedestrian area will be constructed after Grand Opening

Additional amenities will be considered for phase 2: landscaping, trees, shade, bike racks, lighting, benches. To donate to Phase 2, contact Amy Reed at coloradogirl72 [at] gmail.com (coloradogirl72[at]gmail[dot]com)

People often need a Vehicle Identification Number Inspection for out-of-state titles or changing body types (example: bus to a flatbed trailer).

The Salida Police Department will do VIN Inspections for vehicles being registered in Chaffee County and will complete the inspection only if the vehicle will be inside Salida City limits. For VIN inspections outside city limits, please call Chaffee County Sheriff's Office.

To obtain a VIN inspection:

Go to Salida Salida Police Department Mon - Thurs 8:00a.m. - 5:00 p.m. located at 448 E. 1st Street, Suite 274) to pay the $20.00 VIN Inspection fee.

***Note*** If our front office is closed, please go to City Hall (Suite 112) to pay the $20 fee. City Hall is open Mon-Thurs 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.

DO NOT FILL OUT FORM THAT IS GIVEN TO YOU

Call 719-539-2596 to schedule a VIN inspection, let Dispatch know where you will meet and give a description of the vehicle or trailer. They will give you an estimated wait time that is usually within the hour.

A Police Officer will either meet you at your house (if within the City limits) or at the Salida Police Department (located at the Touber Building).

Since scholarships are available on a first-come, first-served basis, we encourage you to submit your application early in the quarter. Once the available funds are exhausted, no more scholarships will be awarded until additional donations or sponsorships are received in future quarters.

If the Salida Police Department has any of your belongings held as evidence in a case, the following steps are followed for return (items will not be returned until the case is closed, meaning the case has gone to court and the defendant has been sentenced):

1. Call the Police Department 719-539-6880 and find out if the item(s) are available to be released.
2. If the Police Department does not have written verification of the release of property, the District Attorney will need to be contacted to inquire about the case.
3. Once the necessary Release of Property paperwork has reached the Police Department, you will need to make an appointment with the Detective or the Lieutenant to retrieve your property. Please call the Police Department to schedule appointments with either of them.

Ramps and Alleys 645 E Rainbow Blvd. (719) 539-5468. Hours: M-Th 10am-6pm, Fr-Sa 10am-7pm, Su 10am-4pm. https://www.rampsandalleys.com/

Please review the link here which outlines the updated laws governing bicycles, electric scooters, electric bikes, etc.

It is located within Centennial Park at 410 W Rainbow Dr. Salida, CO 81201

All ages, abilities and disciples (bmx, skateboard, scooters, rollerblades and skates). Mountain bikes, road bikes and electric-powered wheel devices are strongly discouraged.

To qualify for the scholarship, individuals or households must be participating in a need-based assistance program. Examples of eligible programs include:

• Free and Reduced Lunch Program
• Federal Food Stamps (SNAP/EBT)
• Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Social Security Disability (SSD)
• WIC
• Section 8 Housing or Public Housing
• Medicaid or Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
• Foster Care
• Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Medicare Savings Program
• Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Other need-based assistance programs

Six of the top skatepark builders in the United States submitted bids for the project.  In the end, an interview committee composed of skatepark volunteers and city staff hired Grindline Skateparks out of Seattle, WA as the designer/builder for the new park.  Construction began in late November, 2020.

The Master Plan process involved extensive community input and participation from residents, including public meetings, focus groups, an online survey and work sessions with department staff members. In total, over 750 people shared their feedback. Throughout the community engagement process, we heard that a new skatepark was a priority.

Learn to skate and other skatepark-related programs will be offered beginning in Spring 2022. There may be a workshop as early as Fall 2021. We are looking at partnering with other organizations to host competitions in the future.

For questions about the skatepark, contact the City of Salida at 719-539-6738.

For questions about Friends of Salida Skatepark, refer people to their facebook and instagram pages. 

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=friends%20of%20salida%20skateparks,

https://www.instagram.com/friends_of_salida_skateparks/ 

Centennial Park construction: other projects by the City of Salida are expected to be completed in the Spring of 2022.