Sundance Film Festival Comes to Boulder
A Rare, Long-Term Opportunity for Thoughtful Property Owners
Beginning in 2027, the Sundance Film Festival will call Boulder home. This is a meaningful moment for the city, the creative community, and for property owners who are well-positioned to participate in something rare, a globally recognized cultural event, making a long-term commitment to our community.
Sundance is not just a festival. It is a ten-day convergence of filmmakers, artists, media, corporate partners, and returning attendees who value quality, experience, and place. With a multi-year agreement in place, this move creates a unique opportunity for Boulder homeowners to thoughtfully open their homes for a short, defined window each year, while contributing to the success of the event and benefiting from it over time.
At Fox Property Management, we see Sundance as a long-term opportunity, not a one-time moment. When approached professionally and intentionally, it can be exciting, rewarding, and aligned with Boulder’s values.
Why Sundance in Boulder Is Genuinely Unique
Unlike most events, Sundance returns year after year and attracts a consistent, high-caliber audience. Many attendees come back annually and prefer to stay in the same homes once they find a place that works.
Boulder’s size, character, and limited lodging inventory make private homes an essential part of how Sundance will function here. That reality is why the City of Boulder and Visit Boulder are actively encouraging homeowners to participate thoughtfully, and why experienced, professional management matters.
For the right homeowners, this is not about chasing demand. It is about participating in something enduring, with the potential to deliver meaningful returns over a decade when done well.
A Thoughtfully Managed Opportunity, Not a Hype Moment
We want to be very clear about how we frame this.
Sundance in Boulder is not meant to turn neighborhoods into permanent short-term rental zones. Instead, the city has created a festival lodging license, allowing homeowners who do not typically rent their homes to participate legally for a defined period tied specifically to the event.
This structure reflects Boulder’s values. It enables homeowners to open their homes responsibly, supports the festival’s long-term success, and preserves the community's integrity.
When owners understand this framework and plan intentionally, Sundance can be both financially rewarding and community-aligned.
Which Homes Tend to Be the Best Fit
Not every home is right for Sundance, and that’s okay. The strongest outcomes come from alignment, not force.
Homes that we anticipate performing best often share a few characteristics:
- Location in Boulder or along the main DIA-to-Boulder corridor
- The more heads in beds you can host, the more valuable your property will be
- Layouts that comfortably accommodate guests without feeling crowded
- The ability for the owner to vacate the home during the festival window
We are also seeing strong interest in nearby communities such as Louisville, Lafayette, Broomfield, Westminster, Arvada, Golden, and select areas of Denver with easy access to Boulder. While Boulder homes are the most directly positioned, demand will extend outward.
Our role is to help owners evaluate fit honestly and early.
Choosing the Right Way to Participate
One of the most appealing aspects of Sundance is that it does not require a full-time rental strategy.
Many owners are exploring a once-per-year approach, opening their home only for the Sundance window. Others may choose to book a longer mid-term stay for January at premium rates.
There is no single right answer. The best strategy depends on:
- Your comfort in vacating the home.
- How much do you want to invest in preparation?
- Your long-term goals for the property.
- How involved do you want to be operationally?
Our job is not to push one model. It is to help you choose the one that fits you.
Preparing a Home for a High-Quality Experience
Sundance guests have high expectations, and that is part of what makes this opportunity special.
Preparing a home means temporarily shifting how the space functions. For a short period each year, it should feel less like a personal residence and more like a thoughtfully designed hospitality experience.
That typically includes:
- Hotel-quality bedding, linens, and backups
- Clean, uncluttered bedrooms with professional photos
- Organized kitchens and bathrooms with guest supplies
- Secure storage for personal items
- Keypad entry and clear house guidelines
- Reliable systems for access, communication, and support
Because Sundance is a long-term commitment to Boulder, these investments are not one-time. When done well, they support strong results year after year.
How Fox Supports Owners During Sundance
We have built a dedicated Sundance and furnished-rental program designed specifically for this kind of event-driven hosting.
For participating homes, we:
- Market properties through established platforms and as a vetted Visit Boulder partner
- Serve as the single point of contact for all guests
- Assign a primary property manager supported by a larger on-the-ground team
- Provide 24-hour guest support during the festival
- Create house guideline materials for a smooth guest experience
- Require professional photography and standardized linens and supplies
- Coordinate preparation, turnovers, and post-stay care
We also guide owners through licensing, insurance, and operational readiness so nothing is left to chance.
Our focus is simple: deliver a five-star experience that protects your home, supports the festival, and positions your property well for future years.
Setting Clear Expectations
This opportunity is exciting, but it is not passive.
It works best for owners who:
- Value professional management and structure
- Are comfortable being out of the home during the event
- Are thinking beyond a single year?
- Care about how their home is experienced and treated
For some owners, long-term renting or not participating at all may still be the best choice. We see that as a successful outcome too.
Looking Ahead with Intention
Sundance will book early. Homes that are well prepared and professionally presented will stand out quickly once dates are announced.
The advantage today is time. Thoughtful planning allows you to make decisions calmly, invest wisely, and participate in a way that feels aligned rather than reactive.
If you are curious whether your home could be a good fit, the next step is simply a conversation. We typically start by looking at location, layout, and timing, then walk through what participation would realistically involve.
Sundance coming to Boulder is a rare, long-term opportunity. When done thoughtfully, it can be rewarding for owners, guests, and the community alike.
