Sundance moves HQ amid hotel labor dispute
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Sundance Film Festival is coming to the Boulder Theater, across the street from Hotel Boulderado. Photo: Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post
The Sundance Film Festival is moving its Boulder headquarters out of the Hotel Boulderado as a unionization effort puts the hotel in the spotlight.
Why it matters: The relocation puts some distance between Sundance and the labor dispute, but festivalgoers could still encounter picket lines at the hotel and around downtown.
Driving the news: Sundance announced that The Rink, at 1722 14th St., will be festival headquarters and year-round home, scrapping earlier plans to operate out of the Boulderado.
- Sundance says talks with The Rink began before the labor dispute, pointing to its central location and space for all festival departments.
- The new headquarters is within a 10-minute walk of multiple hotels and theaters.
Catch up quick: Hotel Boulderado workers have pushed to unionize since July, picketing outside the hotel and marching on Pearl Street.
- Workers, who cite understaffing and rising living costs, accuse hotel management of bringing in anti-union consultants.
- Nashville-based AJ Capital Partners bought the hotel in 2024 and plans to turn it into a Graduate by Hilton property.
What they're saying: Unite Here, the union backing the workers, wants Sundance to use its clout to help settle the dispute before the festival.
- "We don't want anyone to show up and be surprised," hotel houseman Ray Guadalupe said in a statement. "We believe people coming to Sundance want to do the right thing. Will Sundance cross our picket line?"
- In a subsequent statement, union representative Allyssa Pollard said Sundance has a responsibility to support workers in its new hometown, including by pressing the hotel's ownership.
The other side: Sundance said it supports unions and hopes the dispute can be resolved.
- "While we began our conversations with The Rink's leadership team before the dispute took place, we are aware of the ongoing efforts by the Boulderado staff and we hope management and workers can come to an agreement," the organization said in a statement.
- Boulderado officials declined to comment.
What to expect: Festivalgoers won't need to visit the Boulderado for Sundance business, but guests staying there could still face picket lines.
- Demonstrations could also spill into downtown Boulder and near the Boulder Theater.
- Workers say they'll keep up the pressure until the dispute is resolved, raising questions about how Sundance will communicate potential disruptions to guests.