EXHIBIT 5


              [Letterhead of Housley Kantarian & Bronstein, P.C.]



                                August 21, 1997



Board of Directors
High Country Bancorp, Inc.
130 West 2/nd/ Street
Salida, Colorado  81201

     RE:  Registration Statement on Form SB-2

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     You have requested our opinion as special counsel to High Country Bancorp,
Inc. (the "Corporation") in connection with the Registration Statement on Form
SB-2 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Registration Statement").  The
Registration Statement relates to shares of common stock of the Corporation (the
"Common Stock") to be issued in connection with the simultaneous conversion of
Salida Building & Loan Association from mutual to stock form and reorganization
into the holding company form of ownership as a wholly owned subsidiary of the
Corporation (the "Conversion").

     In rendering this opinion, we understand that the Common Stock will be
offered and sold in the manner described in the Prospectus which is a part of
the Registration Statement.  We have examined such records and documents and
made such examination as we have deemed relevant in connection with this
opinion.

     Based upon the foregoing, it is our opinion that the shares of Common Stock
will, when issued and sold as contemplated by the Registration Statement, be
legally issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to us in the Prospectus under the
heading "Legal Opinions."

                               Very truly yours,

                               HOUSLEY KANTARIAN & BRONSTEIN, P.C.



                               By: /s/ Howard S. Parris
                                   --------------------------
                                   Howard S. Parris