My name is Cory Riggs, but everyone calls me Salty.  I’ve spent the last several years serving this community—not for attention, but because I believe in pitching in and solving problems together.

 

We’re fortunate to live in a growing community, but growth has driven up land prices. If we aren’t proactive—if we don’t develop real solutions—our children, our workforce, and our seniors will be priced out.

 

That’s why I fought for and helped pass the short-term rental tax, which is paying for projects that will decide if locals can still afford to live here:

• South Ark Neighborhood – 200+ affordable homes for people who live and work in Chaffee County.

• Artspace – downtown housing for artists and creatives.

• New Senior Center with Memory Care – so our elders can stay in the valley they built.

 

If the STR tax is gutted, these projects are at risk. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

 

I’ve been leading on housing solutions for years.

• In 2022, I fought for Proposition 123 at the state Capitol and in our community.

• I went door-to-door to pass Prop 123 and the lodging tax reallocation for housing and childcare.

• I pushed the City of Salida and Chaffee County to opt in to Prop 123, unlocking millions in state funding for projects like The Crossing, The Flour Mill, Alpine West, Space to Create, and South Ark Neighborhood.

• The lodging tax has already funded Janes Place, the 505 acquisition, and Ark Valley Preschool.

 

Many people support these projects. I’m the one who secured the funding, fought for the votes, and got the policies passed to make them real.

 

Now we have to finish what we started — and protect the resources that keep Salida livable for the people who call it home.