Senate Committee Advances Bill to Attract Sundance Film Festival
Bill would create a tax credit to attract film tourism to Colorado
DENVER, CO – The Senate Finance Committee today advanced 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 encourage the Sundance Film Festival to move to Colorado beginning in 2027, and one to support existing or small film festivals in Colorado.
“The Sundance Film Festival is more than just an economic driver – it would cement Colorado’s place as a global hub for the arts, creating opportunities for filmmakers and audiences alike,” said Amabile. “Our communities would 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 as a top-three finalist to host the iconic Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027 – which would 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.
If Boulder is selected, the festival would take place starting in 2027 through 2036. Boulder is in the running to host the film festival starting in 2027 along with Cincinnati, Ohio and Park City, Utah.
The bill now heads to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.