A coalition of Boulder’s top civic and cultural supporters has come together to offer a substantial $34 million incentive package to ensure the longevity of the Sundance Film Festival for the next decade. Visit Boulder spearheaded the initiative to gather additional funds for the renowned festival.
With Sundance set to relocate from Park City, Utah, to Boulder in 2027, it was already granted a $34 million tax credit by state legislators last month. The newly proposed incentives would bring the total financial support for the event to over $70 million, enhancing its capacity to expand in Colorado and contribute significantly to the state’s economy, as stated by Karleen Lewis, Visit Boulder’s director of marketing and communications.
Anticipating a boost in travel, hospitality, entertainment, and lodging revenue during the festival’s January-February timeframe, city officials and lawmakers forecast a substantial economic impact on Boulder during an otherwise slow season.
Visit Boulder’s incentive package entails an annual allocation of $2.1 million for Sundance through the waiver of city fees and various in-kind services like parking and street permits, totaling $21 million over the next ten years. The remaining $13 million will be sourced from various entities, including a $250,000 contribution from Visit Boulder, $400,000 in cash donations, and $300,000 annually from the Boulder Chamber, private donors, and other partners.
Lewis emphasized that the approach towards supporting the Sundance Film Festival does not involve a one-time financial contribution from the city. She clarified that the city has not yet committed to providing direct funding for the event.
“This local incentive package for the Sundance Film Festival aligns with the city’s established model of backing major cultural and community events, similar to the Bolder Boulder,” Lewis stated. “Even in the absence of the festival, arts and cultural events play a pivotal role in driving the local economy in Boulder, fostering significant and positive impacts on our community’s vitality.”
Boulder’s cultural nonprofits generated an economic impact of $115 million in 2022, four times higher than other cities of similar size, according to Americans for the Arts. Furthermore, Boulder ranks in the top 10 in the U.S. for “arts vibrancy,” based on factors like arts concentration, funding, and programs, as highlighted by Visit Boulder.
As Utah reduces financial support for Sundance leading up to its final edition in Park City in January 2026, Boulder is gearing up to host the festival from 2027 to 2036. The projected attendance of 86,000 and an estimated $132 million in annual economic activity signify the potential impact of the event on Boulder’s economy, resonating with Park City’s reported figures from 2024.
“The Festival will not only bring thousands of filmmakers and industry professionals to Colorado but also increase the likelihood of their return for future projects, thereby ensuring sustained economic benefits,” Lewis added.
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