RTD to Expand Boulder Bus Service for Sundance Festival
The Regional Transportation District will offer free fares and extended service hours during the January festival.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Budget Travel
Live Poll
Is expanding local bus service a good way to handle large events in your area?
The Regional Transportation District will increase bus service in Boulder during the Sundance Film Festival, which takes place from January 21 to January 31, 2027. The agency will offer free fares on select lines to support attendees traveling throughout the city.
Why it matters
RTD is adjusting services to accommodate the influx of visitors expected for the film festival. The expansion includes increased capacity for airport routes and a new temporary line to serve festival venues.
RTD received $1 million in grant funding to provide free transit on the BOLT, JUMP, SKIP, and CHAT bus lines. The Flatiron Flyer will operate until 2 a.m. between Union Station and Pearl Street Mall during the festival.
The players
Regional Transportation District
The agency provides public transit services across the Denver metropolitan area.
The details
RTD is launching a temporary bus line called the CHAT to manage transit to Chautauqua Park. While specific lines will be free, standard fare pricing will remain in effect for the Flatiron Flyer and airport bus routes.
Timeline
The 2027 Sundance Film Festival lineup will be released in December 2026.
The festival will take place in Boulder from January 21 to January 31, 2027.
Travel Outlook
This temporary service expansion reflects the agency's broader strategy to manage high-volume event transit, following a pattern set by the Regional Transportation District's Zero Fare for Youth program. It represents a shift toward using targeted grants to alleviate congestion during peak tourism windows.
Visitors should plan to use the free BOLT, JUMP, SKIP, and CHAT lines to save on travel costs while moving between festival venues. Commuters should keep in mind that the Flatiron Flyer and airport routes remain subject to standard fares throughout the festival.
The takeaway
Festival attendees can take advantage of the expanded transit hours and fare-free zones to simplify their travel experience in Boulder. Planning routes in advance will help participants avoid congestion during the January peak season.
What happens next
The official 2027 Sundance Film Festival lineup is scheduled to be released in December 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local transit options in our guide to Budget Travel.
Live Poll
Is expanding local bus service a good way to handle large events in your area?
