Downtown Boulder’s business community will be ready to roll out the red carpet for guests from around the world
Boulder, CO [March 28, 2025] - On Thursday, March 27, the Sundance Institute announced that Boulder, Colorado will become the new home of the Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027. “Boulder is an art town, tech town, mountain town, and college town. It is a place where the Festival can build and flourish. This is the beginning of a bold, new journey as we invite everyone to be part of our community and to be entertained and inspired. We can’t imagine a better fit than Boulder,” said Amanda Kelso, Acting CEO of the Sundance Institute.
Downtown Boulder Partnership (DBP) played an active role in the year-long bid to bring the festival to Boulder. Among their many collaborative efforts, DBP coordinated local artists to perform in a creative flash mob welcome parade for Sundance Institute staff and board members, connected downtown businesses to the effort, and advocated for funding. DBP CEO Bettina Swigger served on the Boulder Host Committee, led by the extraordinary efforts of Visit Boulder, and participated in many planning sessions, including a behind-the-scenes visit with City, State, and other leaders to Park City during the 2025 Festival.
“The Sundance Festival’s presence in Boulder will be transformative for downtown. Our local businesses and thriving arts scene will benefit, certainly,” said Swigger. “Furthermore, the Pearl Street Mall will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2027. With this legacy, Downtown Boulder has long been a place for creativity to shine. We value the power of storytelling to bring us together and the importance of celebrating all voices.”
Downtown Boulder is no stranger to the magic of film. For over two decades, it has served as the heart of the Boulder International Film Festival (BIFF), which laid the groundwork for a thriving relationship between film lovers and the local business community.
The Sundance Film Festival will now experience that dynamic hospitality. “Creativity, innovation, and expression are at the heart of what makes Boulder special, and we’re ready to welcome storytellers and cinema lovers from around the world,” said Charlene Hoffman, CEO of Visit Boulder. “Our walkable downtown, iconic venues, and breathtaking setting at the base of the Rocky Mountains set the stage for the Sundance Film Festival to flourish in its next chapter.”
Downtown Boulder offers more than 120 dining options—from casual bites to James Beard-nominated and Colorado Michelin-recognized restaurants—alongside a vibrant shopping scene where over 70% of businesses are locally owned and operated. The district is also home to galleries, museums, music venues, and engaging public art throughout the streets and public spaces.
As operations ramp up for the 2027 debut, Downtown Boulder Partnership will work closely with the City of Boulder, local businesses, Visit Boulder, community organizations, surrounding communities, and state partners to ensure a successful transition. The incredible efforts of Park City over the past four decades have shaped Sundance into one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. The spirit of Sundance in Park City has left an indelible mark—one that downtown Boulder aims to carry forward with heart, hospitality, and creativity.
The 2025 Press Conference Photo Gallery can be viewed here.
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For more information:
Terri Takata-Smith, VP Marketing & Communications
303-449-3774 (office)| terri@downtownboulder.org
About Downtown Boulder Partnership
The Downtown Boulder Partnership (DBP) is a 501(c)6 membership-based organization that relies on membership revenue to help promote the civic, economic and commercial vitality of downtown Boulder - while helping preserve its historic and cultural environment as the heart of the greater Boulder community. DBP supports downtown businesses through public policy advocacy and provides some funding for staffing and administration to implement the mission of DBP along with those of the Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District (BID) and Downtown Boulder community Initiatives (DBCI).