Videos & Interviews

Living in Salida with Realtor Monica McCarthy

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How to Pronounce Salida

If you've ever visited Salida, CO, you might have noticed that locals don't pronounce it how you'd think. Steve Chapman, Salida's storyteller and founder of Salida Walking Tours tells us the story of how Salida, CO got its name and why locals pronounce it Suh-LIE-duh not Suh-LEE-duh.

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American Dream TV with Realtor Jessica Charlton

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Exploring Historic Downtown Salida | Local History, Ghost Stories & Walking Tours With Steve Chapman

​In this downtown Salida interview and walking tour, Steve Chapman, Salida's Storyteller, 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 Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours as one of the area’s leading immersive tourism and storytelling experiences.

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Living in Salida with Realtor Monica McCarthy

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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 Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours as a leading local experience for immersive storytelling, ghost tours, and historic tourism in the Arkansas Valley.

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Chaffee County Colorado Visitors Bureau

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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 Steve's Original 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.

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Living in Salida with Realtor Monica McCarthy

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Why Buena Vista is Mispronounced

When you visit Buena Vista Colorado you might notice that the locals pronounce the town name differently than how Buena Vista is commonly pronounced in Spanish. This is a brief history of how Buena Vista CO got its name and a few stories behind the reason locals mispronounce Buena Vista. Steve Chapman, Salida's storyteller and founder of Salida Walking Tours chats with Monica McCarthy, local realtor to share this fascinating history of Buena Vista CO.

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Chaffee County Colorado Visitors Bureau

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Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours - The #1 Rated Walking Tour in Colorado

Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours, owned by Steve Chapman, Salida's Storyteller, 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.

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Shoutout Colorado

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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.

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Living in Salida with Realtor Monica McCarthy

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Steve Chapman, Salida's Storyteller, Interviewed About Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours

This is a fun and informative interview that covers a bit about Steve and what he's been doing since we talked last (written 6 books), the tours he offers and Salida's history, including some ghost stories. Salida's Historic District consists of 136 buildings that are protected and preserved.

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Voyage Denver

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We Visit with the creator of Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours

Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours began with one person, a t-shirt, and a 60-minute history tour. Today, he has seven tours, has written six books on Salida history, written and produced an award winning history podcast and radio program. 

Press & Articles

Heart of the Rockies Radio News​

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Salida Elected Officials Experience Historic Tour

Salida’s elected officials and senior city staff stepped back into the city’s frontier past this week during a private Wild West History Tour led by local historian Steve Chapman of Steve’s Original Salida Walking Tours.

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Heart of the Rockies Radio News​

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Steve Chapman, Salida's Storyteller, Leads Private Tour for Salida City Council

The Salida City Council will conduct a work session consisting of a historic Downtown Salida walking tour with Steve Chapman tonight beginning at 6pm.

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Heart of the Rockies Radio News​

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Local Author Steve Chapman Returns for Book Signing

Local author Steve Chapman will make his first public book signing appearance in three years when he signs copies of all six of his books at the Book Club Salida booth during the Salida Farmers Market on Saturday, July 25.

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Ark Valley Voice​

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Salida Museum Celebrates 50 Years in Current Location

The Salida Museum marked 50 years in its current home Saturday, July 11 with an open house, free admission and a celebration highlighting the volunteers and community support that have sustained the museum for decades.

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Ark Valley Voice​

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Steve Chapman to Give Keynote Address at Salida Museum's 50th Anniversary Celebration

Steve Chapman, Salida's Storyteller, will discuss the history of the Salida Museum at Saturday's Open House & Anniversary Celebration.

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The Mountain Mail

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Salida Walking Tours Founder to be Keynote Speaker at Museum Celebration

Steve Chapman, Salida's Storyteller, will give the keynote address on July 11 at the Salida Museum 50th anniversary celebration of their current location. ​

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The Mountain Mail

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Salida Walking Tours Helps Save Historic Newspapers

Along with local volunteers and The Salida Museum, Salida Regional Library, and The Mountain Mail, Steve's Original 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.

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​Salida Creative District

 

Best Salida Ghost Tours & Historic Walking Tours in Downtown Salida

Steve's 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.

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Uncover Colorado

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Best Salida Ghost Tours & Historic Walking Tours in Downtown Salida

​A feature on Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours highlighting the company’s haunted history tours, Wild West storytelling, and immersive downtown Salida experiences for visitors exploring the Arkansas Valley.

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Salida Colorado Chamber of Commerce

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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.

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Salida Museum

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Salida Museum Welcomes Return of Salida Walking Tours & Historic Downtown Ghost Walks

The Salida Museum highlighted the return of Steve's Original 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.

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Mount Princeton Hot Springs & Resort

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Historic Hot Springs, Ghost Tours & Local History Near Mt. Princeton Hot Springs

Mt. Princeton Hot Springs featured Steve's Original 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.

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Creekside Chalets​

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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 Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours—a fantastic way to dive into the town’s rich history.

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CentralColorado.com

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Best Ghost Tour & History Tour in Colorado - Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours

Steve's Original 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.

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Ark Valley Voice

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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.

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5280 Magazine

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A Ghost Story for Every Kind of Coloradan

Steve Chapman, Salida's Storyteller, has had guests struck by sudden headaches and nausea, always after standing near the building’s western corner.

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Colorado Parent Magazine​

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Family Travel Guide to Salida

Kids 10 and over with a penchant for the paranormal will find the Ghost & Murder Tour particularly soul-stirring.

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Denver Gazette​

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Ghost Tour Shows Off Haunted Side of Colorado Mountain Town

Experience an adventurous evening of thrills and chills with Steve's Original 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.”​

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Radio, Blogs, & Podcasts

Heart of the Rockies Radio News

 

Steve's Original 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 Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours to move 76 years of newspaper archives, dating through 1956, into permanent storage.

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Heart of the Rockies Radio News

 

Best Salida Ghost Tours Returning in 2026 as Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours Announces Expansion

​Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours announced its return for the 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.

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Back to the Passport Blog​

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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. 

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Only in Your State Blog​

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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.

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Heart My Backpack Blog​

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Experience the Wild West and Hot Springs in Salida, Colorado

After Browns Canyon we met up with our tour guide Steve, Salida's Storyteller, 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.

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Veronika's Adventure Blog​

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Ghost & Murder Tour by Steve's Original Salida Walking Tours

Steve's 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.