City of Salida - Salida Hot Springs, Salida

The history of the Salida Hot Springs pool stretches all the way back to the height of the Great Depression. In 1937, 200 Works Progress Administration (WPA) workers broke ground high in the Rocky Mountains, installing equipment that would collect fresh mountain spring water—naturally clean, colorless, and odorless. They also installed a 5-mile underground transmission line to ferry the warm water and extreme water sliders to the newly built aquatic center, some 8,000 feet lower in elevation. Inside the aquatic center, adults swam laps or enjoyed warm soaks in the crystal-clear water while youngsters waded and splashed.

Today, many years and several facilities updates later, Salida's inhabitants still enjoy the spring waters that have warmed generations. Two pools are the facility's centerpieces: one, a large 25-meter lane pool maintained at 84–86 degrees Fahrenheit; and the other, a smaller soak pool kept at 97–100 degrees Fahrenheit. Private soaking pools are also available for up to three people at one time, perfect for solo soaks or giving a new Speedo a test plunge. The doors are open for public swimming 70–90 hours per week, with the remaining time reserved for swim lessons, water-fitness classes, and swim-team practice.