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Sundance moves HQ amid hotel labor dispute

The film festival is moving to The Rink, though it said the move was due to space needs.

News

The Sundance Film Festival is moving its Boulder headquarters <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="out of the Hotel Boulderado" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/31/boulder-sundance-2027-festival-dates-venues-programming" data-vars-content-id="7486e5cc-e63c-40fc-bea1-b96b2fabc840" data-vars-headline="Sundance moves HQ amid hotel labor dispute" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/31/boulder-sundance-2027-festival-dates-venues-programming" target="_self">out of the Hotel Boulderado</a> 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.

The Prime Time hype is fading at Colorado

Four straight losses and questions about Julian Lewis have intensified scrutiny.

The Deion Sanders experiment is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="under increasing scrutiny" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/09/02/colorado-buffaloes-2026-football-preview-deion-sanders" data-vars-content-id="b098fe1e-5f67-43af-9733-6d6c4a72ce27" data-vars-headline="The Prime Time hype is fading at Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/09/02/colorado-buffaloes-2026-football-preview-deion-sanders" target="_self">under increasing scrutiny</a> as losses are mounting and off-field drama steals the spotlight.Why it matters: Sanders made CU football a national spectacle starting in 2023. But <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="his star power" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/23/deion-sanders-coach-prime-business-colorado" data-vars-content-id="b098fe1e-5f67-43af-9733-6d6c4a72ce27" data-vars-headline="The Prime Time hype is fading at Colorado" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2023/09/23/deion-sanders-coach-prime-business-colorado" target="_self">his star power</a> hasn&#x27;t translated into sustained on-field success.

New sports bar aims to fill Boulder's void

The Werks brings beer, burgers, bowling and bikes to Boulder Junction on Oct. 26.

Boulder&#x27;s thinning roster of sports bars is getting a boost — with a side of burgers, bowling and bikes.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="loss of the beloved Dark Horse" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/02/13/boulder-dark-horse-closing-march" data-vars-content-id="37686830-9082-409a-8c22-d3d488a8ef4d" data-vars-headline="New sports bar aims to fill Boulder&#x27;s void" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/02/13/boulder-dark-horse-closing-march" target="_self">loss of the beloved Dark Horse</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="delays at other anticipated watering holes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/09/24/boulder-buffhouse-dark-horse-sports-bar-delays" data-vars-content-id="37686830-9082-409a-8c22-d3d488a8ef4d" data-vars-headline="New sports bar aims to fill Boulder&#x27;s void" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/09/24/boulder-buffhouse-dark-horse-sports-bar-delays" target="_self">delays at other anticipated watering holes</a> have left thirsty sports fans with fewer places to catch a game.

Boulder's wellness scene gets a Pause

Pause Studio will offer float therapy, cryotherapy and other recovery treatments.

Pause Studio is bringing cold plunges, infrared saunas and a menu of high-tech recovery treatments to Boulder Junction.Why it matters: The newcomer adds to Boulder&#x27;s booming wellness scene, which promises everything from faster, better recovery to stress reduction and more.

Outdoor brands keep betting on Boulder

PAKA and Reima are the latest outdoor companies planting roots near Pearl Street.

Business

Two outdoor apparel brands are expanding in Boulder, betting the city&#x27;s outdoorsy reputation can translate into customers, community and growth.Why it matters: Boulder has long been a hub for the outdoor industry, and a fresh wave of investment shows brands still see value in being close to the people who use the gear.

Nederland's $120M Eldora deal faces new hurdles

More than a year after Nederland struck a deal to buy Eldora, the purchase remains unsettled. Here's what's holding it up.

More than a year after Nederland <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="struck a deal to buy Eldora" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/07/09/nederland-buys-eldora-boulder-county-ski-area" data-vars-content-id="0386a348-4a43-497f-b77a-e4065da1168f" data-vars-headline="Nederland&#x27;s $120M Eldora deal faces new hurdles" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2025/07/09/nederland-buys-eldora-boulder-county-ski-area" target="_self">struck a deal to buy Eldora</a>, the $120 million purchase is still up in the air.Why it matters: Eldora is Boulder County&#x27;s only ski area, and Nederland leaders see owning it as key to its long-term vitality.

Final Wednesday market caps season of resilience

"The Wednesday market has really become our Boulder neighborhood market."

Things to Do

The Boulder Farmers Market wraps its Wednesday season on Oct. 7 after expanding beyond produce into a neighborhood gathering space.<ul><li>The 3:30-7:30pm finale caps a season that brought more artisan vendors and community resources to the weekday market.</li></ul>

Boulder climate case gets boost in Supreme Court

The ruling will determine whether Boulder can keep pursuing potentially millions in damages to cover climate-related costs.

Sharp questioning from both sides during <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Monday&#x27;s Supreme Court arguments" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/02/supreme-court-state-climate-lawsuits-preemption" data-vars-content-id="4f713218-d013-4259-be7b-9f559863465f" data-vars-headline="Boulder climate case gets boost in Supreme Court" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2026/10/02/supreme-court-state-climate-lawsuits-preemption" target="_self">Monday&#x27;s Supreme Court arguments</a> suggested Boulder&#x27;s landmark climate lawsuit could narrowly survive the court&#x27;s conservative majority.Why it matters: The ruling will determine whether Boulder can keep pursuing potentially millions in damages to cover climate-related costs — and could shape the fate of dozens of similar lawsuits filed nationwide.

Crocs capitalizes on holes in clogs and tax code

From major acquisitions to a longtime shop closing, August has brought plenty of change.

It&#x27;s been another busy month for the Boulder-area business scene.The big picture: A longtime Pearl Street shop is closing, an alt-weekly may be coming back to life, and Crocs is getting attention for its Mediterranean tax strategy.

Birkenstock opens first Colorado store in Boulder

The iconic footwear brand has finally opened its first Colorado location.

Birkenstock has opened a retail store on Boulder&#x27;s Twenty Ninth Street Mall, the clog-maker&#x27;s first ever Colorado location.Why it matters: The German-based Birkenstocks is the latest global brand to open <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="a retail location" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/11/08/hestra-gloves-opens-first-us-store-boulder-pearl-street-mall/" data-vars-content-id="586e88e0-61ab-41fc-b2cf-c962f7c510df" data-vars-headline="Birkenstock opens first Colorado store in Boulder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/11/08/hestra-gloves-opens-first-us-store-boulder-pearl-street-mall/" target="_blank">a retail location</a> or <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="company headquarters" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/12/10/giant-group-usa-bicycles-moving-boulder/" data-vars-content-id="586e88e0-61ab-41fc-b2cf-c962f7c510df" data-vars-headline="Birkenstock opens first Colorado store in Boulder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dailycamera.com/2025/12/10/giant-group-usa-bicycles-moving-boulder/" target="_blank">company headquarters</a> in the Boulder area.

Boulder weighs higher tip offset for restaurants

The proposal could change tipped wages and restaurant labor costs starting in 2027.

City Council will vote Thursday on whether to let restaurants pay tipped workers less than the city&#x27;s standard minimum wage beginning next year.Why it matters: The decision could reshape restaurant labor costs and tipped workers&#x27; pay in one of Boulder&#x27;s biggest workplace policy debates in years.

Biz roundup: Vacuum shop says Boulder sucks

Here's what happened across Boulder County business in recent weeks.

Boulder&#x27;s business scene saw major moves this month.The big picture: From multi-million dollar defense deals to a mom-and-pop operation swearing at an entire city, it&#x27;s been an interesting summer in Boulder business.

Scoop: Sprouts to permanently close Will Vill store Sept. 4

The closure ends plans for the grocer to return after redevelopment.

The Sprouts Farmers Market at Williams Village in Boulder will permanently close, ending plans for the grocer to return after the site&#x27;s redevelopment.The big picture: Sprouts is the second business to abandon plans to return after the Williams Village II redevelopment, following <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="the Dark Horse&#x27;s move to Louisville" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/15/dark-horse-bar-louisville" data-vars-content-id="7633d9e4-9b00-47de-b2a1-2603c5d74105" data-vars-headline="Scoop: Sprouts to permanently close Will Vill store Sept. 4" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/15/dark-horse-bar-louisville" target="_self">the Dark Horse&#x27;s move to Louisville</a>.

Business 🏦

Boulder's wellness scene gets a Pause

State audit blasts Colorado's marijuana testing framework

Outdoor brands keep betting on Boulder

Nederland's $120M Eldora deal faces new hurdles

Final Wednesday market caps season of resilience