Your Daily Guide

🎥 Is Colorado Ready For Sundance?

As Boulder gears up to host the Sundance Film Festival starting next year, local filmmakers are hopeful it could boost our budding film industry to the next level. Colorado’s 20% film production tax credit is half of what neighboring New Mexico offers, but filmmakers are hopeful that more buzz in Colorado will make studios more interested in filming here. [Axios Boulder]

• Can Sundance actually save Colorado’s indie film scene? Lawmakers cleared major financial hurdles to land the festival, but some local creators warn high costs, limited infrastructure, and that aforementioned tax credit could hinder the industry’s growth. “It doesn’t make sense to film in Colorado economically right now,” one producer said. [The Colorado Sun]
• Boulder’s Airbnb rush is already underway: The festival doesn’t just present opportunities and challenges for the industry. Rental searches in Boulder skyrocketed 500% following the announcement, leading Airbnb to offer $200 bonuses to new hosts who can help absorb the influx of visitors in January. The city has also created a temporary “festival lodging license” that temporarily eases short-term rental rules. [9News]
• Get an early taste of the fest tonight: An early Sundance Film Festival event in Colorado, “Mostly True Stories,” happens tonight on the University of Denver’s campus. Hear from a panel of Sundance veterans and insiders, including a pair of directors with Colorado ties: Rian Johnson of “Knives Out” fame, and Jeff Orlowski-Yang of “The Social Dilemma.” Tickets are $29. [Westword]
• Don’t take our word for it: City Cast Salt Lake’s host Ali Vallarta gave us the inside scoop on what Sundance was really like last year on the pod 👇

💵 What FEMA Funds Mean For Colorado

One year after the White House turned down Colorado’s request for federal aid following 2025’s Lee and Elk fires, President Donald Trump approved a major disaster declaration for this summer's Aspen Acres and Gold Mountain blazes. That unlocks millions in FEMA funding to repair infrastructure and offer direct financial support to more than 300 families who lost their homes to the fires. The funding comes after more than 170 local organizations signed onto a call for federal support while communities deal with ongoing consequences of the destructive fires. [CPR News]

🗳️ Judge Rescues Libertarian’s Ballot Spot

After Libertarian Secretary of State nominee Alex Astley abruptly dropped out just past the deadline, state officials initially blocked the party from getting a replacement on the ballot. A judge overruled, forcing new candidate Sean Vadney onto the November ballot amid party accusations that Astley colluded with the Republican nominee to consolidate the field. [The Denver Post]

🤼 Sumo In RiNo

If you’ve ever wanted to see a real sumo wrestling match but have yet to make it to Japan, now’s your chance. USA Sumo and the Japan America Society of Colorado are hosting a sumo event at Denver’s ReelWorks tomorrow night, with catering by Matsuhisa Denver. Tickets are $300 a piece, but considering a flight from Denver to Tokyo will run you $1,200+, that’s a steal. [Denverite]

• What is sumo, and why is it so popular in Japan? This video explains its importance. [Ted-ed]

👨‍⚖️ CO to Trump Administration: See You In Court

Colorado is suing the Trump Administration over a proposed rule to block states from using federal Medicaid funding for youth gender-affirming care. The lawsuit, which also features other Democrat-led states, argues the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services can’t ban states from covering medical care without congressional approval. [Colorado Newsline]