In a rural community like ours, a performing arts center is never just a stage. It is a gathering place and a reflection of who we are. The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College does that for Durango and La Plata County.
Every performance draws audiences downtown, filling restaurants, shops and hotel rooms. Touring artists and companies choose to stop here because Durango has a reputation for enthusiastic, appreciative audiences. In this way, the Community Concert Hall is part of the economic backbone that supports a thriving local ecosystem.
Perhaps more importantly, performing arts centers in rural communities play a vital social role. In a region defined by geography and distance, shared experiences matter. The Concert Hall offers something increasingly rare: a place where our community gathers across generations, backgrounds and perspectives. Whether it’s a student attending their first performance, a family marking a milestone or longtime patrons reconnecting with friends, these moments strengthen the social fabric that turns a town into a community.
Creating our cultural identity is also important. Rural places often carry rich traditions, yet they risk being overlooked in the broader cultural landscape. The Concert Hall bridges that gap. It brings world-class artists to Southwest Colorado while elevating regional voices, ensuring our stories are part of the cultural conversation. The Concert Hall shows that Durango is not just a beautiful place to visit but a place to live, learn and create. Of course, none of this happens automatically. Rural arts organizations face real challenges, and what sustains institutions like the Community Concert Hall is community commitment – people showing up, supporting and believing that the arts matter here.
In 1994, after the collapse of the Fine Arts Auditorium on the Fort Lewis College campus, a group of people envisioned a new performing arts center for our community. Driven by a strong belief in the value of the arts, community members and FLC leaders came together to bring that vision to life. Their efforts led to the construction of the Community Concert Hall, which opened in 1997.
Among those leaders were Russ and Bette (Elizabeth) Serzen, whose dedication helped make the Concert Hall possible. Although Russ passed away shortly after the hall opened, Bette carried their shared vision forward. She established the Russ and Bette Serzen Endowment for Concert Hall Operations with a clear, enduring goal: “to keep the Concert Hall’s doors open.” Her commitment ensured the hall would remain accessible to generations of audiences and artists.
Earlier this month, we lost my friend Bette Serzen after a brief illness. She inspired us not only to bring exceptional touring artists to Durango but also to remain deeply connected to our local performing arts community. Bette played a key role in shaping programs such as Jazz on the Hill, which continues to bring world-class musicians to our stage and to teach students from across the region.
Today, the Community Concert Hall stands as both a testament to the vision of those who came before us and a promise to those who will follow. Honoring that legacy means continuing to gather, invest and believe that the arts will always have a vital place in our community's life.
More about the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College can be found at DURANGOCONCERTS.COM.
Charles Leslie is director of the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.
