Rent Your Boulder Home for Sundance 2027
Boulder created a Festival Lodging Rental License just for this. Here is how to host film-goers in January and get paid for it.
Here is some of the most exciting news Boulder has seen in years: the Sundance Film Festival is moving to our city, and its first Colorado edition runs January 21-31, 2027. That means thousands of visitors, filmmakers, and industry professionals will be flooding in and needing places to stay, and Boulder has created a special Festival Lodging Rental License precisely so residents like you can welcome them and earn real income doing it. I am Kate Paulin, your Boulder Realtor since 1993, and I could not be more excited to walk you through how it works.
For more than 40 years, Sundance called Park City, Utah, home. This is the festival's first year outside Park City, and Boulder was the city chosen to carry it forward, beating out other contenders. For our town, that is a huge moment. The 2027 program includes world premieres January 21-26, the festival's annual gala on January 22, and online screenings January 28-31. Between arrivals, events, and everything in between, the demand for quality places to stay will be off the charts.
What is the Festival Lodging Rental License?
Boulder's city government created the Festival Lodging Rental License exactly for a designated special festival event like Sundance. It lets Boulder property owners rent out their home for up to 29 days in a year during the designated festival period, which for Sundance 2027 runs roughly January 11 through February 9. And the good news only grew in April 2026, when the program was opened up so tenants can apply too, not just owners.
Your home does not have to be your primary residence
This is the part that surprises most people. Unlike Boulder's regular short-term rental rules, the Festival Lodging License does not require the property to be your primary residence. Second homes, investment properties, condos, apartments, and even rental homes, with the landlord's OK, can qualify for festival rentals. Renters can also sublease during the festival window with a lower-cost license. If you own or lease a place to sleep in Boulder, there is a very good chance you can participate.
What does it cost, and how long does it take?
Here are the numbers that matter, straight from the city's program:
$190
Property owner application fee
Approximate fee, and the license is valid for 4 years
$75
Tenant application fee
Lower-cost option for renters, valid for 1 year
1-2 wks
Typical processing time
So the single most important step is applying early
The festival is coming whether we are ready or not, and the homes with their licenses in hand will be the ones earning. Do not wait until December to get started.
Apply for your Festival Lodging license
Head to the City of Boulder's official application page to get started. It is where you will find the current forms, requirements, and fees.
Practical tips for first-time festival hosts
Ready to say yes? A little preparation goes a long way. Here is what I would do if my own home were on the festival market:
Make sure you are inside the city
The Festival Lodging License is a City of Boulder license, so confirm your property falls within city limits. Homes in unincorporated Boulder County are outside the program.
Gather your property details before applying
Have your address, ownership or lease information, and the basics of your property handy so the application goes smoothly and quickly.
Set your pricing thoughtfully
Demand will be strongest during the premiere days, so think about your rates for the festival dates well in advance, and price for the walk-up frenzy.
Make your space welcoming
A clean, well-stocked home with clear house rules makes for happy guests, glowing reviews, and return bookings for years to come.
Protect yourself
Check on insurance coverage and any protections your policy offers for short-term guests, put your house rules in writing, and make sure each guest knows them before they arrive.
Where will demand be highest?
Homes in walkable neighborhoods near downtown Boulder, the Pearl Street area, CU Boulder, and the festival venues will be in the highest demand. Festival-goers want to park once and walk everywhere, so proximity to the action is gold. If your home sits within an easy stroll of the festival buzz, price accordingly and make the walkability the headline of your listing.
Welcome the world to Boulder
Renting your spare room or your whole home during Sundance is a wonderful way to earn extra income and welcome the world to Boulder. This festival is a once-in-a-generation moment for our city, and the people who are positioned to host it get to be part of the story while getting paid for their hospitality.
And if you have been thinking about buying a home, or a second home, positioned to host festival guests in future years, I would love to help you find it. That is where my 33 years of Boulder experience comes in: I know which neighborhoods will be in demand, which properties make the best rentals, and how to get you there with less stress and more confidence. You are the decision maker. I handle everything else.
Let us talk about your Boulder plans
Call or text me at (303) 520-0837, email Kate@katepaulin.com, or schedule a time that works for you. Whether it is a festival-ready home or any Boulder real estate question, I would be honored to help.
Stay blessed,
Kate
Festival dates and license details reflect the City of Boulder's Festival Lodging Rental program as announced for the Sundance Film Festival's first Boulder edition in January 2027. Application fees and processing times are approximate and set by the city; always confirm current details on the official application page before applying.