Over the past year, citizens throughout our town worked to develop an application to certify Durango as a Colorado Creative District, as defined by Colorado Creative Industries and the Colorado State Office of Economic Development and International Trade.
Though a mouthful, the Creative District effort was developed through community-wide, grassroots efforts, through 29 meetings, 686 individual engagements and surveys, led by the Local First Foundation and community volunteers.
Recently, Durango submitted our application to certify the Durango Creative District.
Why is this important?
Many things make Durango unique, including our culture, music, shops, food, beer, artists, writers, poets, crafts people, students, teachers, entrepreneurs and creators of all kind. All make this an amazing place to live and to visit. The Creative District is not just about art. It encompasses different industries such as culinary arts, trails, galleries, museums, manufacturing, performance venues, hotels, and anything that is made or produced here locally, whether by hand or in the mind.
With population growth comes the potential for a community to lose its identity. By becoming a Colorado Creative District, our uniqueness is preserved, our creativity is promoted and a place for creativity to grow is protected.
To learn more, attend a Creative Connection Hour held every other month. The next will be Dec. 4 at the Durango Arts Center, 5-7 p.m. Learn about and celebrate our creative economy.
Charles Leslie
Durango
