Exhibit 5.1
                               November 14, 1997



Board of Directors
Salida Building & Loan Association
130 W. 2nd Street
Salida, Colorado 81201-0309

     Re:  Registration Statement on Form S-8
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          Salida Building & Loan Association 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan & Trust

Gentlemen:

     We have acted as special counsel to High Country Bancorp, Inc., a Colorado
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of the above-
referenced Registration Statement (the "Registration Statement") being filed
herewith under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to participation
interests in the Salida Building & Loan Association 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan &
Trust (the "Plan") and the sale to Plan participants of shares of common stock,
par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock") of the Company, all as more fully
described in the Registration Statement. You have requested the opinion of this
firm with respect to certain legal aspects of the proposed offering.

     We have examined such documents, records and matters of law as we have
deemed necessary for purposes of this opinion and based thereon, we are of the
opinion that the Common Stock when issued will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement on Form S-8 and to references to our firm included under
the caption "Legal Opinion" in the Prospectus which is part of the Registration
Statement.

                            Very truly yours,

                            Housley Kantarian & Bronstein, P.C.


                            By /s/ Howard S. Parris
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                                   Howard S. Parris, Esquire