The Area

A Mountain Paradise...Whether you're looking for a new home, a vacation getaway, or a just a great place to visit, we think you'll find Buena Vista and the surrounding area to be your next best kept secret. Chaffee County, also Known as the Arkansas River Valley, is home to Salida, Buena Vista, The Arkansas Headwaters Recreation area and the majority of the State's "Fourteener" mountains. In a recent August 2004 article, Salida and the surrounding area was voted by Outside Magazine one of the Top Dream Adventure Hideouts. Read the article >>. Buena Vista is a treasure of mountain recreation, views, and outstanding real estate a short 20 minute drive north of Salida along the Arkasas River. The community is marked by a long history of warm & friendly people, breath-taking views, and unbeatable recreation.

Picture Courtesy Outside Magazine Aug. 2004

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Climate:
Summer Average High Temp (July) 81.4° F
Summer Average Low Temp (July) 47.3° F
Winter Average High Temp (January) 40.2° F
Winter Average Low Temp (January) 10.7° F
Annual Rainfall 10.15"
Annual Snowfall 30.4"
Average Wind Velocity W 10 MPH
Number of Sunshine Days 300 days
Elevation 7,950 ft above sea level

Demographics:
Buena Vista (in city limits) 2,150
Buena Vista North County Area 2,850
Total 5,000
Chaffee County 17,000+

Housing Costs:
Building sites in town starting in mid $20's. Out of town sites of 2 acres to 40 acres or more range from high $20's to over $200,000. Prices vary depending on location and amenities such as trees, terrain, views, water, and utilities.
The average sale price for a home within the city limits of Buena Vista was $101,268 for 1998. The average price for a home on acreage for the same period was $150,154 according to the statistics collected by the Chaffee County Board of Realtors.

History:
Chaffee County takes its name from Jerome B. Chaffee, who was elected the first US Senator after Colorado was admitted into the Union. The County was separated from Lake County by an act of the legislature that was approved February 8, 1879. Two days later, the new county was named Chaffee.The earliest settlers were attracted to the Arkansas Valley soon after gold was discovered near Denver in the 1860s. These early settlers were mainly interested in mining, but some were attracted by the availability of water and good soil which made farming and cattle raising a possibility in the valley.Soon came the stagecoach era and later the railroads. Both were to play an important role in the development of the county.