Press & Media Resources
Steve Chapman is a local historian, author, and founder of Salida Walking Tours.
Since 2018, his company, Salida Walking Tours has welcomed more than 35,000 guests on guided experiences exploring Salida's ghost stories, Wild West history, historic downtown, true crime, railroad heritage, and local legends.
Members of the media may contact us for interviews, historical commentary, podcast appearances, tourism features, speaking engagements, and background information related to Salida, Colorado, and the Arkansas Valley.
Reach us at: SalidaWalkingTours at gmail.com
Radio, Blogs, & Podcasts
Heart of the Rockies Radio News
Salida Walking Tours joins Salida Museum and Salida Regional Library to Preserve History
History was preserved last week as volunteers from the Salida Regional Library and the Salida Museum joined Steve Chapman of Salida Walking Tours to move 76 years of newspaper archives, dating through 1956, into permanent storage.
Heart of the Rockies Radio News
Best Salida Ghost Tours Returning in 2026 as Salida Walking Tours Announces Expansion
Salida Walking Tours announced its return for a limited 2026 season following a year-long hiatus, with plans to expand into a larger lineup of ghost tours, Wild West history walks, and immersive storytelling experiences in 2027. The feature highlights the company’s role in downtown Salida tourism and its growing focus on local history and haunted folklore.
Back to the Passport Blog
Review of Steve's Original Salida Ghost Tour
Our Salida ghost tour covered murders by jealous partners, angry ghost activity at the former morgue, and the city’s history. We walked the haunted streets, some that even the locals avoid, and learned about the spirits that still call this Old West town home.
Only in Your State Blog
This Ghost Hunt In A Former Colorado Brothel Isn’t For The Faint Of Heart
Salida, Colorado, offers a highly-rated Ghost and Murder Tour that explores the town's haunted history and paranormal activity.
Heart My Backpack Blog
Experience the Wild West and Hot Springs in Salida, Colorado
After Browns Canyon we met up with our tour guide Steve for a Salida Wild West History Tour. It was honestly one of the highlights of the entire trip, with Steve somehow managing to make the town’s violent history part of an engaging and humorous 90-minute story.
Veronika's Adventure Blog
Ghost & Murder Tour by Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours
Steves Original Salida Walking Tours presents a spine-tingling and captivating adventure with their Ghost & Murder Tour. Step into the dark streets of Salida, Colorado, and unlock the secrets of its haunted history and notorious red light district.
Press & Articles
The Mountain Mail
Salida Walking Tours Helps Save Historic Newspapers
Along with local volunteers and The Salida Museum, Salida Regional Library, and The Mountain Mail, Salida Walking Tours helped relocate 146 years of newspapers to permanent storage. Next, the hardcopies will be digitized by the State library before returning to their final home.
Salida Creative District
Best Salida Ghost Tours & Historic Walking Tours in Downtown Salida
Original Salida Walking Tours offers immersive ghost tours, Wild West history walks, and locally rooted storytelling experiences that explore the legends, architecture, and hidden history of downtown Salida. The feature highlights the company’s role in Salida’s arts and cultural tourism scene while showcasing its unique blend of entertainment, folklore, and historical interpretation.
Uncover Colorado
Best Salida Ghost Tours & Historic Walking Tours in Downtown Salida
A feature on Salida Walking Tours highlighting the company’s haunted history tours, Wild West storytelling, and immersive downtown Salida experiences for visitors exploring the Arkansas Valley.
Salida Colorado Chamber of Commerce
Top Things to Do in Salida, Colorado | Historic Downtown, Outdoor Adventures & Local Attractions
The Salida Chamber’s first-timer guide highlights the best things to do in Salida, from historic downtown attractions and mountain adventures to local dining, arts, and Arkansas River experiences. The feature positions Salida as one of Colorado’s premier destinations for outdoor recreation, culture, and small-town tourism.
Salida Museum
Salida Museum Welcomes Return of Salida Walking Tours & Historic Downtown Ghost Walks
The Salida Museum highlighted the return of Steve Chapman’s Salida Walking Tours, featuring historic downtown ghost walks, Wild West storytelling, and immersive local history experiences returning for the summer season. The museum recognized the tours as an important part of preserving and sharing Salida’s railroad, mining, and frontier-era heritage.
Mount Princeton Hot Springs & Resort
Historic Hot Springs, Ghost Tours & Local History Near Mt. Princeton Hot Springs
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs featured Salida Walking Tours as a unique local experience for visitors exploring the Arkansas Valley, highlighting the area’s ghost stories, Wild West history, and immersive downtown Salida walking tours.
Creekside Chalets
Don't Miss Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours - A Fantastic Way to Explore Salida
Wander through Colorado’s largest historic district, packed with galleries, boutiques, and cafes. Don’t miss the Salida Walking Tours—a fantastic way to dive into the town’s rich history.
CentralColorado.com
Best Ghost Tour & History Tour in Colorado - Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours
Salida Walking Tours guides visitors through Colorado's largest National Historic District. You'll hear incredible stories about Salida's wild west past, including gunfights, lynchings, great successes, and tragic fires. Private tours and nightly ghost tours also available.
Ark Valley Voice
How to Pronounce Salida - Sah - LIE- duh or Sah - Lee - duh?
Visitors to the Upper Arkansas Valley tend to be as confused about the pronunciation of local towns as they are amazed at the surrounding beauty. But names are part of the charm, especially when you know the stories behind it all.
5280 Magazine
A Ghost Story for Every Kind of Coloradan
Local historian Steve Chapman of Salida Walking Tours has had guests struck by sudden headaches and nausea, always after standing near the building’s western corner.
Colorado Parent Magazine
Kids 10 and over with a penchant for the paranormal will find the Ghost & Murder Tour particularly soul-stirring.
Denver Gazette
Ghost Tour Shows Off Haunted Side of Colorado Mountain Town
Experience an adventurous evening of thrills and chills with Salida Walking Tours. Take a guided stroll down the historic streets of Salida, covering more than 10 blocks as your guide points out the “infamous red-light district and the exact locations of murders and restless spirits.”
Videos & Interviews
American Dream TV with Realtor Jessica Charlton
Exploring Historic Downtown Salida | Local History, Ghost Stories & Walking Tours With Steve Chapman
In this downtown Salida interview and walking tour, local historian Steve Chapman discusses the city’s Wild West past, ghost stories, architecture, and hidden history while guiding viewers through Colorado’s largest historic district. The feature showcases Salida Walking Tours as one of the area’s leading immersive tourism and storytelling experiences.
Living in Salida with Realtor Monica McCarthy
Salida's F Street Bridge - A Brief History with Salida Walking Tours owner, Steve Chapman
In this downtown Salida walking interview, Steve Chapman shares the history, Wild West legends, and architectural stories behind one of Colorado’s largest historic districts while guiding viewers through the heart of Salida. The feature highlights Salida Walking Tours as a leading local experience for immersive storytelling, ghost tours, and historic tourism in the Arkansas Valley.
Chaffee County Colorado Visitors Bureau
Walk Through Time in Salida, Colorado with Salida Walking Tours
Go on a walking tour of historic Salida. The largest Historic District in the State of Colorado. Do a self tour or get more info with a guided tour at Salida Walking Tours. Buena Vista & Salida are the perfect destination in Colorado for your outdoor adventures. Over 80% of Chaffee County is public lands giving you the opportunity to get out and explore.
Chaffee County Colorado Visitors Bureau
Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours - The #1 Rated Walking Tour in Colorado
Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours, owned by Steve Chapman, fills the heritage niche with a pedestrian “show and tell” like no other. A master storyteller, Chapman's guides resurrect Salida’s history in an engaging, entertaining fashion. The tours reveal what you didn’t know you didn’t know about the origins of Colorado's Largest National Historic District.
Shoutout Colorado
Meet Steve Chapman: Historian, Tour Guide, Writer, Podcaster
A far-ranging, detailed interview with the creator and owner of Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours, Salida Ghost Tours, and Salida Wild West History Tour.
Voyage Denver
We Visit with the creator of Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours
Salida Walking Tours began with one person, a t-shirt, and a 60-minute history tour. Today, he has multiple guides, seven tours, has written six books on Salida history, written and produced an award winning history podcast and radio program.