Country Living magazine recently released its picks for the best small towns in America, and Salida is included in the roundup. Read the recommendation here: 

Salida, Colo. 

• Population: 5,800 

• Nickname: Heart of the Rockies 

What do you get when your town is home to FIBArk, the oldest and biggest white-water festival in the country? A bunch of former river guides running things.  

"We're everywhere," jokes Mike "Diesel" Post, Salida's Director of Parks and Recreation, who says the Arkansas River is central to town life.  

"You can ski Monarch Mountain, then kayak, and have time left for mountain biking," adds Mayor P.T. Wood, who is — you guessed it — also a former guide.  

More of an artsy soul? Salida is also home to Colorado's first Creative District, with many artist-owned galleries to visit. 

Click here to read the full article.