Across rural Colorado, communities are asking similar questions about electric vehicle charging: Where should stations go? Will they be used? And what does success really look like? To help answer those questions, Drive Clean Colorado looked to a town that has already put ideas into action, Salida, CO. By examining real data, local experience, and on-the-ground decision making, this case study highlights practical lessons that any rural community can apply.
Learning from a Community Doing the Work
Salida has built a practical, easy-to-use charging network by placing stations where people already spend time: downtown, near parks, grocery stores, and everyday destinations. Charging becomes part of normal life instead of a special trip.
City staff have also begun using EVs in their own operations, proving that access to public charging can support municipal fleets without the need for expensive new facilities.
Sara Law, who played a key role in supporting this effort, helped translate real-world experience into lessons other communities can use. Her perspective connected the dots between infrastructure placement, driver behavior, downtown activity, and long-term value for the city.
As Sara shared:
“Having charging available downtown made it much easier for us to start using electric vehicles. It fits into our daily operations without adding complexity, and we’re already seeing savings in fuel and maintenance.”
What the Data Shows
Salida’s results demonstrate that rural charging can be both practical and impactful.
The community’s network has:
- Generated steady and growing revenue
- Supported city vehicle adoption
- Increased visitor activity downtown
- Operated reliably with minimal maintenance needs
For rural towns wondering whether EV charging will be used, Salida offers clear evidence: when stations are placed at activity centers, drivers plug in.
A Regional Effort Bigger Than One Town
This case study was developed through support from ChargeWest, a partnership spanning eight Intermountain West states working to make EV travel possible across long distances, scenic byways, and rural gateway communities.
By sharing examples like Salida, communities across the region can move forward with confidence, backed by real data and practical experience.
Read the Full Case Study HERE
This blog only scratches the surface. The full report dives deeper into utilization trends, revenue growth, siting strategies, and why rural charging plays a critical role in tourism and local economies.