Ten years ago, during a balmy summer at the Pagosa Springs Golf Club, a crowd of locals would show up each Thursday, lawn chairs in hand in lieu of putters and wedges, to enjoy a new event featuring live music and local nonprofits.
It was called the 19th Hole Concerts, organized by a small group of passionate locals on the Archuleta Committee of the Community Foundation serving Southwest Colorado.
Their goal was to give nonprofits in Archuleta County a boost in visibility and funding.
Once nonprofits applied for the grant, the committee voted on the recipients across multiple sectors, who then evenly split the proceeds raised from the summer concerts on the green.
The first recipients of the grant included the Chimney Rock Interpretive Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Colorado, Foundation for Archuleta County Education, Geothermal Greenhouse Project, THRIVE and Veterans Memorial Park of Archuleta County.
“As the Archuleta Committee planned that first year, we, of course, wondered what would eventuate,” said Jan Johnson, the first board member to represent Archuleta County on the board of the Community Foundation and first chair of the Archuleta Committee. “We eagerly anticipated the turnout each week and celebrated as we approached 100 attendees.”
Since 2016, the 19th Hole Concerts have grown to see more than 700 attendees every summer since, raising approximately $75,000 for nonprofits serving Archuleta County.
In addition to receiving a share of the proceeds, each organization assists with marketing the event and serves as the featured nonprofit at one of the concerts.
As for the elements that bring people out to the fairway, the expansive views of the San Juan Mountains and a musical lineup of local favorites makes for an incredibly enjoyable evening.
“I never decline an opportunity to play this gig,” said Bo DePeña, a local country artist who has performed at the concerts since 2021. “The audiences are incredible and very supportive of both the artists and the nonprofits. I look forward to this event every year, as it is one of my most memorable shows of the season.”
The 2025 19th Hole Concerts lineup is:
• June 5: Bob Hemenger (jazz, blues, soul and pop). Presenting nonprofit: Archuleta Seniors Inc.
• June 12: Jackson Mountain Ramblers (country and folk). Presenting nonprofit: Project Sanctuary.
• June 19: DePeña (Americana and country). Presenting nonprofit: Build Pagosa.
• June 26: Max Miller (jazz). Presenting nonprofit: San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership.
The concerts will be held every Thursday in June from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pagosa Springs Golf Club. A $10 ticket supports the participating nonprofits, helping them further their missions in the community.
Guests should bring a lawn chair to sit back and relax. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Please note: Pets are not allowed on the golf course, so leave furry friends at home.
Celebrating a decade of music and community spirit, the 19th Hole Concerts continue to bring Pagosa Springs together — one Thursday, one song and one nonprofit at a time, proving that small towns can make a big impact. Join the tradition this June and be part of making a difference.
