Sundance Institute Moves Festival Headquarters to The Rink
The festival is shifting its primary hub from the Hotel Boulderado to a new venue located at 1722 14th St.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Remote Work
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The Sundance Institute announced it will move its film festival headquarters to The Rink for the upcoming 2027 season. The organization stated the move aims to consolidate its operations into a single larger location.
Why it matters
The change follows ongoing labor tensions at the Hotel Boulderado, where employees are actively campaigning to unionize due to concerns over layoffs and workloads.
The Sundance Film Festival is a 10-day event scheduled to begin on January 21, 2027. The festival previously generated $132 million in local economic activity in 2024.
The players
Sundance Institute
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the discovery and development of independent artists and audiences.
Hotel Boulderado
This historic 117-year-old hotel is currently managed by Schulte Hospitality for new owner AJ Capital.
Unite Here
This international labor union represents hundreds of thousands of workers in the hospitality and gaming industries.
The details
The Sundance Institute confirmed it has no plans to house staff at the 117-year-old Hotel Boulderado, which was recently purchased by AJ Capital in March 2025. Meanwhile, hotel staff represented by Unite Here continue to picket outside the property to push for union recognition.
Timeline
March 2025: AJ Capital purchased the Hotel Boulderado.
July 1, 2026: Hotel Boulderado workers began active unionization efforts.
October 15, 2026: The Sundance Institute announced the relocation to The Rink.
January 21, 2027: The Sundance Film Festival officially begins in Boulder.
Market Landscape
The acquisition and planned renovation of the hotel follow the broader industry trend of consolidating historic properties into boutique lifestyle collections. This strategy positions the new owners to target specific demographic segments that prioritize branded hospitality experiences over traditional independent lodging.
Attendees and local residents should expect shifted foot traffic patterns toward the 14th Street corridor during the festival dates. Those planning to stay at the historic hotel may encounter ongoing picketing activities as labor negotiations between workers and management continue.
The takeaway
The relocation highlights how corporate infrastructure decisions can intersect with localized labor disputes. Organizers and visitors should prepare for a new venue footprint as the city gears up for the 10-day influx of thousands of attendees.
Further reading
For more on how shifts in physical workspace impact local industries, see Remote Work.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Boulder Reporting Lab.
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