Durango’s scarce and high-priced housing is often in the news, but it has a side impact many may not realize – it’s making it more difficult for Music in the Mountains to find accommodations for its musicians.

And for the three-week festival, that can turn into a game-changer.

“I’m spending more and more of my budget every year on housing,” Music in the Mountains Executive Director Angie Beach said. “We used to be able to get lots of condos donated at Purgatory (Resort) when it was sleepier up there, but these days, it’s so busy, people can rent them out instead.”

The festival is spending almost $70,000 this year on rental housing for a number of the more than 80 musicians, she said, up from $52,000 in 2015. That’s a large chunk of the $1.1 million annual budget, which also includes more than $250,000 for educational programs such as Conservatory Music in the Mountains and Music in the Mountains Goes to School.

“They come for three weeks, so they bring their families,” Beach said, “This is the first year we have no pet-friendly housing options, which is hard on musicians with pets. Three weeks is a long time to board a pet or pay a house-sitter.”

For the musicians in the festival, the organization looks for at least one- or two-bedroom setups with their own entrances and a small kitchen, which makes the stay easier for hosts and musicians during such a long stay. The requirements, though, narrow the possibilities, as only some music lovers have facilities that meet those parameters. Housing for faculty at the conservatory is a little easier, as guest rooms are acceptable for them.

“A lot of people who used to be able to donate housing have downsized and don’t have it anymore,” Beach said. “And no pets is becoming an issue. One couple, who has been coming for a long time with their dog, are coming this year, although we feared they wouldn’t. We aren’t sure how this will affect their decision to come back next year.”

A big concern, along with raising more money every year to cover housing, is more long term: the continually tightening housing inventory in La Plata County.

“I’m concerned that at some point, we may not be able to find enough housing, even if we can pay for it,” Beach said.

For a community that has become accustomed to a large orchestra presenting performances throughout the area, scaling back either in size of the orchestra, length of the festival or number of performances would be a large step back for the festival, which has spent 30 years reaching its current stature.

John and Cissy Anderson have hosted musicians for more than a decade. As a former president of the festival’s board, he has a keen understanding of how important housing is to Music in the Mountains.

“The fact is, we’re able to put on a quality festival because people want to come here,” John Anderson said. “We recognize that quality musicians come to Durango for Music in the Mountains to enjoy our outdoor activities while they participate in the festival. We try to contribute to their enjoyment of being here.”

While housing is part of any musical event’s responsibility, Beach agreed the musicians do enjoy the Durango area on their few days off.

Liz and Paul Cahill have hosted musicians for more than 10 years in the mother-in-law apartment they included when building their home.

“It’s just fun,” Liz Cahill said. “We have enjoyed them so much. We get invited to parties, there’s a whole realm of things we get to do as hosts.”

The hosts don’t have responsibilities beyond providing the housing, but doing more for the musicians adds to the experience for everyone, Cahill said.

“We meet some very interesting people and really excellent musicians,” Anderson said. “It’s an opportunity to learn from them and appreciate the lives that they lead.”

Both hosts offer some social invitations to the musicians.

“We have wine on the back porch, have them over to dinner a couple of times,” Cahill said. “But they have lives. They’re busy when they’re here.”

There’s also the added benefit of the occasional “concert” when musicians practice.

“Our neighbors comment about the beautiful music emanating from our guest cottage,” Anderson said with a laugh. But the bottom line is, “when we provide housing, we help ensure a world-class festival.”

abutler@durangoherald.com

To learn more

To learn more about donating housing to Music in the Mountains, call the office at 385-6810, stop by at 1063 Main Ave. or email abeach@musicinthemountains.com. The festival generally runs the last three weeks of July.