DENVER, CO – The House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation to attract film tourism in Colorado. HB25-1005 creates a tax credit to encourage the Sundance Film Festival, as well as other smaller film festivals, to call Colorado home beginning in 2027.
“Colorado would be the perfect place for the Sundance Film Festival to call home,” said Rep. Brianna Titone, D-Arvada. “This iconic film festival has a track record of boosting tourism and economic growth. It would also solidify Colorado’s reputation as a destination for the arts. This bill gives our state an advantage in bringing a world-renowned film festival to Colorado for the next ten years which could also build and boost smaller, local film festivals in Colorado.”
“From original films to panel discussions with filmmakers, Sundance is a world-renowned festival that would be right at home in Boulder,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “If Boulder is selected as the next location for the Sundance Film Festival in 2027, we’d see a boost in tourism – which is good for our small businesses, restaurants and hotels. It’s clear Colorado is the right home for this festival, and I’m excited to be joining this effort.”
HB25-1005 passed committee by a vote of 12-1. Boulder was recently selected as a top-three finalist 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 stand up $34 million in tax incentives to a film festival that sells more than 100,000 tickets and attracts more than 20,000 out-of-state attendees. Additionally, the bill will also leverage $500,000 annually to support smaller, existing local film festivals 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 with Cincinnati, Ohio and Park City, Utah being other contestants.
Majority Leader Monica Duran will replace Speaker McCluskie, a strong supporter of the Sundance Festival’s relocation, as a co-prime sponsor of the legislation after second reading.