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Axios Boulder Partners

Colorado's film industry sees an opening with Sundance

Local filmmakers hope the festival brings more productions and investment to Colorado.

News

The arrival of the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sundance Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/07/31/boulder-sundance-2027-festival-dates-venues-programming" data-vars-content-id="b0e66038-286d-4fc3-83c9-308c89e17424" data-vars-headline="Colorado&#x27;s film industry sees an opening with Sundance" 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">Sundance Film Festival</a> next year could help Colorado turn its growing indie-film scene into a bigger production hub.Why it matters: Local filmmakers hope Sundance won&#x27;t just make Colorado a place to watch movies — but a place to make them.

Colorado Pizza Festival rocked by overwhelming turnout

Long lines and big crowds marked the festival's first year.

Longmont&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="first-ever Colorado Pizza Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/06/urban-field-creative-pizzas-expansion-northern-colorado" data-vars-content-id="4fd9d225-8098-4884-9b77-35f60aa6f75a" data-vars-headline="Colorado Pizza Festival rocked by overwhelming turnout" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/06/urban-field-creative-pizzas-expansion-northern-colorado" target="_self">first-ever Colorado Pizza Festival</a> may have bit off more than it could chew.Why it matters: Organizers sold 7,000 tickets and raised thousands for charity, but they&#x27;ll have to address crowd management and slice complaints before the festival returns in 2027.

Colorado road trip comedy tackles aid in dying

A new indie film follows a mother and son from Denver to Durango.

A Colorado-made road trip comedy tackles a decidedly unfunny, but very timely, topic: choosing when to die.Why it matters: &quot;Durango Seems Like a Great Place to Die&quot; uses Colorado&#x27;s landscapes as the backdrop for a mother-son story about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="medical aid in dying" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/02/09/colorado-aid-in-dying-law-medical-suicide-5-years" data-vars-content-id="bbedef79-4e3e-4727-95ad-479d1bd3e9e8" data-vars-headline="Colorado road trip comedy tackles aid in dying" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/denver/2022/02/09/colorado-aid-in-dying-law-medical-suicide-5-years" target="_self">medical aid in dying</a>, grief and the uncomfortable conversations families often avoid.

San San elevates Chinese American classics

The James Beard-nominated restaurateur is bringing white-tablecloth flair to familiar dishes.

Food and Drink

A James Beard-nominated Boulder restaurateur is giving casual Chinese American dishes the white-tablecloth treatment at his new downtown restaurant.Why it matters: San San fills a gap in the city&#x27;s dining scene, giving what would normally be considered takeout the kind of upscale, sit-down experience typically reserved for other cuisines.

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>.

Boulder eyes new downtown hotel ahead of Sundance

The proposal would replace a city parking lot with a 110-room hotel.

The city of Boulder has reached a tentative deal to sell a downtown parking lot for development of a 110-room hotel at Broadway and Spruce Street.Why it matters: The proposal advances Boulder&#x27;s push to revive downtown and expand hotel capacity before the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sundance Film Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/01/05/sundance-preparation-boulder-2027" data-vars-content-id="8c8ce635-b08f-4a08-8864-0861f69761f7" data-vars-headline="Boulder eyes new downtown hotel ahead of Sundance" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/01/05/sundance-preparation-boulder-2027" target="_self">Sundance Film Festival</a> arrives in 2027.

Summit Tacos plans Hill location

Summit Tacos started as a Boulder County food truck before opening its first location in Longmont.

A new taco spot appears headed to University Hill, taking over the former Scrooge Sul space after the bar closed <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="amid an underage drinking scandal" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/13/hill-bar-liquor-license-revoked-boulder-investigation" data-vars-content-id="51cbf3a2-0c82-4679-b5fb-bc6d6d6bdf1b" data-vars-headline="Summit Tacos plans Hill location" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/boulder/2026/04/13/hill-bar-liquor-license-revoked-boulder-investigation" target="_self">amid an underage drinking scandal</a>.State of play: Signage at 1149 13th St. indicates Summit Tacos is &quot;coming soon,&quot; though no opening date is listed.

East Boulder gets a new workday hangout

The new venue offers coffee, cocktails, food and gathering areas.

Development

A new market hall and social venue is now offering all-day food, drinks and work space in east Boulder&#x27;s Flatiron Park.Why it matters: East &amp; Co. gives the office and biotech campus an anchor for workers, tenants and visitors to eat, meet and linger.

Biscuit Mike's gets flaky in Longmont

The popular food truck now has a permanent spot on Coffman Street.

Business

Those looking to risk it for the biscuit will be excited to learn that a popular northern Colorado food truck has recently established a storefront in Longmont.The big picture: Popular food trucks across Colorado <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="are increasingly " data-vars-click-url="https://www.westword.com/food-drink/popular-korean-food-truck-moving-into-new-globeville-brick-and-mortar-40872910/" data-vars-content-id="634e711e-5f80-4fcd-bc35-91e86c72d0b4" data-vars-headline="Biscuit Mike&#x27;s gets flaky in Longmont" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.westword.com/food-drink/popular-korean-food-truck-moving-into-new-globeville-brick-and-mortar-40872910/" target="_blank">are increasingly </a><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="turning" data-vars-click-url="https://whatnow.com/denver/restaurants/local-food-truck-turning-brick-and-mortar/" data-vars-content-id="634e711e-5f80-4fcd-bc35-91e86c72d0b4" data-vars-headline="Biscuit Mike&#x27;s gets flaky in Longmont" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://whatnow.com/denver/restaurants/local-food-truck-turning-brick-and-mortar/" target="_blank">turning</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pandemic-era followings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.chieftain.com/story/news/2026/05/11/mother-smothers-food-truck-opens-new-brick-and-mortar-in-pueblo-west/89944993007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=false&amp;gca-epti=z114229p004250c004250e009000v114229&amp;gca-ft=181&amp;gca-ds=sophi" data-vars-content-id="634e711e-5f80-4fcd-bc35-91e86c72d0b4" data-vars-headline="Biscuit Mike&#x27;s gets flaky in Longmont" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.chieftain.com/story/news/2026/05/11/mother-smothers-food-truck-opens-new-brick-and-mortar-in-pueblo-west/89944993007/?gnt-cfr=1&amp;gca-cat=p&amp;gca-uir=false&amp;gca-epti=z114229p004250c004250e009000v114229&amp;gca-ft=181&amp;gca-ds=sophi" target="_blank">pandemic-era followings</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="into brick-and-mortar operations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/19/adrian-grace-soul-food-truck-whats-happening-restaurant-and-bar-five-points/" data-vars-content-id="634e711e-5f80-4fcd-bc35-91e86c72d0b4" data-vars-headline="Biscuit Mike&#x27;s gets flaky in Longmont" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.denverpost.com/2025/07/19/adrian-grace-soul-food-truck-whats-happening-restaurant-and-bar-five-points/" target="_blank">into brick-and-mortar operations</a>, as loyal customers seek more reliable hours and expanded menus.

New Nepalese spot Kathi Klub opens on the Hill

A new restaurant blends momo, tacos and student-friendly eats on University Hill

Kathi Klub, a Nepalese-inspired spot mixing traditional dishes with American favorites, has opened on University Hill.Why it matters: The student-heavy Hill area is increasingly leaning on casual, hybrid dining to keep traffic steady beyond the academic calendar.

Axios Denver

Trump deportations ripple through Colorado's economy

Denver

A choropleth map showing the estimated cost per taxpayer for federal immigrant deportation and detention funding across the U.S. states. The average cost is $2.4k. Washington, D.C., has the highest load, at $3.9k.

Estimated cost per taxpayer for federal immigrant deportation and detainment funding

Data: Economic Policy Institute; Map: Danielle Alberti/Axios

Axios Closer

Colorado set to collect $615M from Meta settlement

Axios Arapahoe County

Hipcamp names Colorado's best campsites

Colorado communities split on data center boom

Latest news on Wall Street, Corporate America and financial regulation.

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Business 🏦

Trump deportations ripple through Colorado's economy

Colorado set to collect $615M from Meta settlement

Hipcamp names Colorado's best campsites

Crocs capitalizes on holes in clogs and tax code

Colorado communities split on data center boom