Boulder boosters pledge an additional $34 million to Sundance festival
A coalition of Boulder’s civic and cultural boosters has put together a $34 million incentive package to support the Sundance Film Festival over the next decade. Visit Boulder spearheaded the effort to gather additional funds and promises of in-kind services.
The festival, currently held in Park City, Utah, is scheduled to move to Boulder in 2027. With a $34 million tax credit already approved by state lawmakers, the new incentives would bring the total support for the event to nearly $70 million. Karleen Lewis, from Visit Boulder, emphasized that this financial backing will help Sundance grow in Colorado and make significant financial contributions to the state.
City officials and lawmakers anticipate that the festival will boost Colorado’s economy through travel, hospitality, entertainment, and lodging receipts during its January-February run, traditionally a slower period for Boulder.
The new incentive package from Visit Boulder includes waiving city fees and providing various in-kind services totaling $21 million over the next decade. Additional funding sources include contributions from Visit Boulder, the Boulder Chamber, private donors, and other partners.
Moreover, the Colorado Economic Development Commission and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade have also granted financial support to the tune of $1.5 million and $325,000 respectively.
While the city has not committed to direct contributions yet, Lewis emphasized that the local incentive package is modeled after the city’s support for large cultural events like the Bolder Boulder.
According to Americans for the Arts, Boulder’s cultural nonprofits generated an economic impact of $115 million in 2022, showcasing the city’s vibrant arts scene. With Boulder ranking in the top 10 for “arts vibrancy” in the US, cultural events play a crucial role in driving the local economy.
As Utah reduces financial support for Sundance, Boulder prepares to host the festival from 2027 to 2036, expecting significant economic activity and attracting filmmakers and industry professionals to Colorado.
Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to receive entertainment news directly to your inbox.
Originally Published: May 22, 2025 at 1:15 PM MDT
