After more than four decades of calling Park City home, the Sundance Film Festival is officially packing up and moving to Boulder, Colorado, in 2027. The announcement came two months ago and marks a significant cultural shift for Utah, as well as a potentially devastating economic one.
Organizers from the Sundance Institute cited long-term sustainability, infrastructure challenges, and the need for more accessible venues as key reasons behind the move. With Boulder’s walkable downtown, larger venues, and proximity to a major airport, the city emerged as a natural fit. For Utah, however, the departure represents the loss of more than just a prestigious cultural event—it’s a hit to the heart of the state’s tourism economy.
The timing is especially painful given that Sundance has long served as an economic cornerstone for Park City and surrounding areas. Each January, the festival draws thousands of visitors from filmmakers, celebrities, media, and fans who fill hotels, book restaurants, hire transportation, and shop locally. According to state estimates, Sundance generates approximately $132 million annually in economic impact for Utah. That figure includes not just direct spending, but also job creation and global media exposure that benefits tourism year-round.
The pandemic brought steep declines in attendance, and many in the industry have complained in recent years about the festival’s ballooning costs. Lodging in Park City has become so expensive that some attendees resorted to renting couches in overcrowded condos. These challenges, combined with limited room for expansion, made it increasingly difficult for the festival to thrive in its original setting. Boulder, with its mix of artsy charm and high-capacity venues, promises a more sustainable future.
Still, the move has left many Utahns reeling. Local businesses that rely on the economic boost from Sundance are bracing for the impact. Restaurants, hotels, and shops in Park City and Salt Lake City will lose one of their most lucrative weeks of the year. While the 2026 festival will serve as a final sendoff, the departure in 2027 is permanent. What was once a cultural crown jewel for Utah will now anchor a new future at the base of Colorado’s Flatirons.
As Colorado prepares to welcome Sundance with open arms, and millions in tax incentives, Utah is left to ponder how to fill the void. Whether through new festivals, winter events, or a broader tourism strategy, replacing the visibility and revenue that Sundance brought will be no easy task. The mountains may still offer world-class snow and scenery, but come 2027, the spotlight will shine somewhere else and so will the economic benefits.
