Following Sundance Announcement, Senate Passes Bill to Boost the Film Festival
Sundance Institute named Boulder, Colorado as the new host of the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027
DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Senator Judy Amabile, D-Boulder, to attract film tourism to Colorado.
HB25-1005, also sponsored by Senator Mark Baisley, R-Woodland Park, would create two tax credits: one to offer a financial incentive to the Sundance Film Festival as it prepares to move to Colorado beginning in 2027, and one to support existing or small film festivals in Colorado.
“This bill has paved the way for yesterday’s historic announcement by demonstrating our state’s commitment to ensuring the success of the Sundance Film Festival in Colorado. Sundance is more than just an economic driver – it will cement Colorado’s place as a global hub for the arts, creating opportunities for filmmakers and audiences alike,” said Amabile. “Our communities will benefit year-round from Sundance’s investments in expanded access to the arts, support for aspiring storytellers, and a platform for powerful narratives that have the potential to move, inspire, and change all of us.”
Boulder was recently selected to host the iconic Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027 – which will boost economic growth, tourism, and Colorado’s reputation as a destination for the arts.
As outlined in the legislation, Colorado would create tax incentives of $34 million over the next ten years, or $3-5 million per year, for a film festival that sells more than 100,000 tickets and attracts tens of thousands out-of-state attendees. A recent economic impact report of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Utah revealed the festival created 1,730 jobs for residents, generated $69.7 million in wages, $132 million in gross domestic product and generated almost $14 million in state and local tax revenue.
The bill would also leverage $500,000 annually to support small or existing local film festivals entities that are part of Colorado’s growing film festival ecosystem.
The bill now heads to the Governor’s desk for his signature. Track its progress HERE.