On Tuesday, April 8, Governor Polis signed the Tax Incentive bill to allocate funding for film festivals in Colorado, inking the final document, winning the race to win the Sundance Film Festival. The bid process has felt more like a marathon than a sprint, and countless people contributed to Boulder’s ultimate success. The economic numbers the Festival will bring are staggering - in 2024, the festival brought $132 million in economic activity to Utah, including $13.8 million in tax revenue and $69.7 million in wages. In 2027, the whole state of Colorado will benefit, and leading the way, our city will thrive! Specifically, Downtown Boulder, where many of the events and ancillary celebrations will take place.
Our endless gratitude to the collaboration that made this possible - to the Visit Boulder Team, the City, the State, and many others. Being selected from 60 cities that applied is a big deal, and the ripple effects will continue for many years. My friend George Karakehian, former City Council member and owner of Art Source International, described this as one of three pivotal moments for the business community in Boulder - “the first was when CU opened its doors in 1876, the second when IBM came in 1967, and the next is when Sundance Film Festival announced it’s coming to Boulder.”
I agree with George, and I’d also like to add another momentous moment that has set the stage for Boulder to be known as an inclusive community, which has greatly contributed to our economic success. Long before rainbow crosswalks were painted on the streets on Broadway and the West End, there was a brave young county clerk named Clela Rorex, who made a name for us, and in LGBTQ+ history.
In fact, the day before the Sundance Film Festival press conference, March 26, marked the 50th anniversary of Rorex signing the first same-sex marriage license in the nation. Why did she do this? Because she read the law, and, seeing no explicit language disallowing it, when she saw two people standing in front of her, asking for their love to be recognized, she said, “I’ll do it.”
Fifty years later, our governor, who is himself married to a man, faced that courthouse building and, flanked by a Colorado Flag and a pride flag, announced that the Sundance Film Festival is coming home to Boulder.
To add to this powerful legacy, the Boulder County Courthouse – the very site where Clela Rorex issued that historic license – will be officially designated a National Historic Landmark this May. This designation recognizes not just the innovative art deco architectural beauty of the building, but the courage and progress of Clela Rorex. Right in the middle of the Pearl Street Mall.
In an age when diversity, equity, and inclusion are being targeted, let’s lift up the voices from our history – and our values. Having a legacy of inclusivity is more than just morally right; it’s also a strategic advantage. Companies and events want to associate with communities that reflect the values of openness, innovation, and progress. An inclusive reputation helps attract top talent, forward-thinking investors, and culturally rich events like the Sundance Film Festival. When a city is known for welcoming people from all walks of life, it becomes a magnet not only for creativity and culture, but for long-term economic growth. In Boulder, our values are not just window dressing – they are the foundation of our success.
I invite you to visit the Museum of Boulder’s excellent exhibit “Bending the Arc” to learn more about this legacy and the many LGBTQ+ activists who have helped our city thrive for decades. Their stories are not just part of our past; they are a vital part of Boulder’s identity and future.
-Bettina Swigger, CEO of Downtown Boulder Partnership, is deeply interested in public space and the intersection of creativity, commerce, and community.
This article was originally published in the Daily Camera on Sunday, April 20, 2025.
Tagged: Downtown Boulder CEO Update