Film. Connect. Create.
In Boulder County.
Run by filmmakers and part of the Boulder Chamber, we help productions shoot here and help local crew and creative businesses get hired.
Welcome to Beautiful Boulder, Colorado
The Boulder County Film Commission is here to help you navigate permitting, suggest locations, connect you with crew and support services, and support our local film industry. Even before “Mork and Mindy” was filmed here, the city was ready for its close-up, with sweeping natural beauty, dramatic mountain backdrops, and intimate cityscapes that make for a spectacular setting!
Local crew, vendor, or creative business? Get listed so productions can find you.
LOCATIONS
Featured Filming Locations
Historic neighborhoods, dramatic landscapes, and winding mountain roads, all in Boulder County. Start here, then filter the full list by what your shoot needs.
Colorado Chautauqua is a 40-acre National Historic Landmark district below the Flatirons in southwest Boulder. Narrow streets, small wood-frame cottages with front porches and almost no sidewalks give it the camp-like look of an early-1900s summer colony. Public buildings and the park lawn sit on the flatter north side; cottages climb the hill behind. Parking is very limited.
Interiors include the 1898 Auditorium, an open timber hall seating 1,313, the 1898 Dining Hall with its wraparound porch, and the 1918 Community House. Auditorium winterization is scheduled through December 2026, and a City of Boulder project is burying utility lines and repaving streets into 2027, so confirm access.
Chautauqua has operated continuously since July 4, 1898. The City owns the land and leases 26 acres to the nonprofit Colorado Chautauqua Association.
Chautauqua Park and city streets fall under the City’s film permit, filed at least 14 days ahead. Most filming in the meadow or on trails also needs an Open Space and Mountain Parks Commercial Use Permit (allow at least 14 days); drones and large equipment are not allowed there. For buildings, lodges and cottages, contact the Association at 303-442-3282.
The University of Colorado Boulder’s main campus covers 313 acres below the Flatirons. Most buildings share the look architect Charles Klauder set between 1918 and 1938: textured local sandstone walls, limestone trim and red clay tile roofs.
The older northwest corner is the Norlin Quadrangle Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Old Main, the red brick first building, dates to 1876 and stands on Norlin Quad, near the sandstone arches of Varsity Bridge, rebuilt in 1935 over Varsity Lake.
During academic sessions, filming is limited to weekends and university holidays. Residence halls cannot be filmed, classrooms, labs and libraries need their own permission, all parking is by permit, and truck and trailer parking is extremely limited.
Outside productions other than news media need a permit from the university’s Strategic Relations and Communications office: apply at least 10 working days ahead, with a script or storyboard, a signed location agreement and a certificate of insurance. Lifestyle reality TV and productions featuring violence, discrimination, sexual situations, or drug or alcohol use are not allowed. Macky Auditorium and Old Main Theater are arranged separately. Questions: filmrequests@colorado.edu.
Eldorado Canyon cuts into the foothills nine miles south of Boulder. Tilted red and gold sandstone walls, streaked with lichen and up to 700 feet high, rise above South Boulder Creek and ponderosa pine forest. Trails reach views of the eastern plains.
The park is day use only, sunrise to sunset. State Highway 170 dead-ends at Eldorado Springs and a dirt road continues to the park; the visitor center is one mile west of the entrance. Vehicles need a timed entry reservation on weekends and summer holidays, May 1 through October 1. Cell coverage is very poor, and the creek and high winds can make communication difficult.
The cliffs carry over 500 technical climbing routes. The state bought the canyon in 1978 after its owner threatened to sell it for a quarry.
Commercial photo and film shoots need a Colorado Parks and Wildlife Special Activity permit, submitted 90 days ahead; late requests risk an expedite fee or denial. Weekend and holiday shoots from April through September need the park manager’s advance written approval. Personal-use photography and news coverage of current events are exempt. Drones are prohibited. Park office: 303-494-3943.
FILMED IN BOULDER
2022
Boulder / Gold Hill
Feature Film
Three years after creatures came up out of the ground and killed most of the world’s population, the last pockets of people survive on one strange piece of luck: the things will not climb above roughly eight thousand feet. When a widowed father in a high mountain settlement runs low on the oxygen filters keeping his young son breathing, he is forced below that line, joined by a scientist who is still hunting for a way to kill the creatures.
2005
Boulder
Feature Film
Gray Wheeler’s wedding day becomes her fiancé’s funeral, and with no home and no plan she ends up sharing a house in Boulder with two of his closest friends. As she works through what he left behind, she discovers that the man she was about to marry had kept a good deal from her, including the reason a stranger keeps turning up in town. Grief, mismatched roommates and a badly timed attraction all crowd into the same small house.
2001
Boulder
Feature Film
A newly retired Omaha insurance actuary discovers that his job had been holding most of his identity together, and a sudden loss at home takes away what little was left. He aims an oversized motor home west toward Denver, where his daughter is about to marry a waterbed salesman he cannot stomach, unloading his unedited thoughts along the way into letters to a six-year-old Tanzanian boy he sponsors for twenty-two dollars a month.
1973
Boulder
Feature Film
A mild-mannered Greenwich Village health-food store owner checks in for a routine ulcer operation in 1973, does not survive it, and is quietly wrapped in foil and frozen. Two hundred years later a cell of underground rebels thaws him out inside a sleek and cheerful police state, where the fact that he has no records and no legal existence makes him uniquely useful to them. What follows is a chase comedy of disguises, malfunctioning gadgets and pratfalls.
PLAN YOUR PRODUCTION
Choose Where to Start
Boulder County is a film-friendly community because of the people in it: businesses, production companies, local creatives, and students. Here is what we do for each.
Businesses & Partners
Need a video, a photographer, or a designer? You don’t have to look far. The Creative Directory lists local production companies, crew, and creative services, and the annual Boulder Creative Expo lets you meet them in person.
A strong film and video industry means jobs in Boulder County, and local businesses help build it. Affiliate Membership is open to organizations outside the creative field, and sponsors support the events that bring this community together.
Want to learn more?
Production Companies
Hire your film and video crew right here in Boulder County and bring fewer people with you, lowering your budget on line items like housing and transportation. Our local rental houses are packed with the gear you’re used to, and Denver is only a short half-hour drive away. We’re filmmakers ourselves, so we know what it’s like to work in a town you’re not familiar with. We’ll point you to the right crew, locations, and permit office.
Want to learn more?
Local Creatives
This is your Film Commission, too. A Creative Directory listing puts your work in front of the productions and local businesses looking to hire, and our Schmoozers put you in a room with the filmmakers, artists, and creative professionals you might work with next.
Want to learn more?
Students
Start with the basics. Our “Intro to PA” workshop introduced high school students to working on film and video sets as a Production Assistant, and our classes have covered directing, producing, editing, camera, and lighting. Check Events for the next one.
With the help of our members, we look forward to offering scholarship opportunities to support young, underserved, Native, and Black and Brown filmmakers.
Want to learn more?
CREATIVE DIRECTORY
Find Creative Talent & Services
More than 200 listings, from camera crew and editors to caterers and gear rental. Search by category or city.
We are a nonprofit organization that is a partner in your success.
Drone pilot and DP/cinematographer specializing in commercial and documentary film. Local crew facilitator.
FEATURED
Audio Recording / Engineering & Podcast Facilities
- Dolby Atmos
ADR, Foley, sound design, mixing, music composition and licensing. 7 studios in Boulder, since 1980.
Your local source for video, cinema and photography gear in the Boulder and Denver market, with 5 stores in Colorado to support your imaging needs.
Impeccable gear rental made easy, because you don’t have time for bad equipment or bad attitudes.
FEATURED
Video Editors / Post-Production Companies
30 years of editing experience, from 30-second spots to feature films. Digitize videotapes, slides and film.
Barbara Colombo
25 years of professional photography services capturing the unique and authentic spirit of events.
Shawna Schultz
Full-service post-production, color/sound theater and facility rental for edits, screenings and events.
Katie Elliott
Performances, classes, collaboration and Dance for Parkinson’s Program.
Kevin P Boyd
Film consultant, film mentor, film career mentor, film development, film gearhead.
Bill Hendrick
Providing quality food and beverage, overwhelming presentation and first-class service.
Nathan Anton
Denver men’s luxury jewelry - handcrafted one of a kind, fine metals and precious gems.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 12 · 5:30-7:30 pm
CineBoulder is a monthly celebration of Boulder County’s filmmakers, storytellers, and creative professionals, graciously hosted and sponsored by the Boulder Marriott. Designed to showcase the incredible talent emerging from our region, each event features screenings of locally produced films, conversations with the artists behind the work, networking opportunities, demonstrations, displays, and light refreshments.
More than a film screening, CineBoulder brings together filmmakers, producers, crew members, photographers, digital creators, business leaders, and community supporters who are helping shape Boulder County’s growing creative economy. Whether you’re an industry veteran, an aspiring creator, a student, or simply someone who appreciates great storytelling, you’ll discover the people and projects making our creative community unique.
As Boulder prepares to welcome the Sundance Film Festival in January 2027, CineBoulder is a chance to celebrate our local creative community, build connections, and showcase the talent behind it.
Student admission requires a valid, physical school-issued photo ID at check-in.
GET READY
Sundance Film Festival coming to Boulder in 2027
The filmmaking and creative industry in Boulder and Boulder County is excited to welcome the Sundance Film Festival, beginning in January 2027. Have a space, need one, or offer a service? Post it on the Partner Hub.
Become Part of the 2027 Sundance Film Festival.
Looking for a space
Post that you’re looking for a space to activate during the Festival.
Have a space
Post that you have a space that you’d like to rent out during the Festival.
Looking to offer services
Post that your company is looking to offer its services.
“Exposure Labs has always been based here in beautiful Boulder, Colorado and we have filmed many scenes from our films “Chasing Ice”, “Chasing Coral”, and “The Social Dilemma” across the Front Range and especially in Boulder, including interviews with incredible scientists and experts, as well as some of the narrative scenes from “The Social Dilemma”. We have had wonderful experiences working with the City staff and officials around permitting, locations, and road closures. With 300 days of sunshine and incredibly photogenic locations, we couldn’t have picked a better home for our films.”
Jeff Orlowski-Yang President, Exposure Labs
“As the Mayor of the City of Boulder, I want you to know how much we value the film industry. Please let us know whatever we can do to help your production while you’re in town, as we appreciate that you chose Boulder. We’ve got it all here, from gorgeous scenery to talented crew.”
Aaron Brockett Mayor, City of Boulder
“It is unquestionable that the City of Boulder, both its built environment and beautiful natural surroundings, present a beautiful backdrop for film production. What might be less clear is the wealth of amazing film production talent in our midst, from animation and technical cinematics to top-tier actors and screenwriters. In all, we offer a welcoming and supportive environment for every facet of film production, let alone a true appreciation for the value of films to move, inspire and entertain.”
John Tayer President & CEO, Boulder Chamber
“I’ve shot four narrative films in Boulder and countless commercial projects. It’s a gorgeous place to shoot, and I’m excited that Bruce Borowsky is now our Boulder County Film Commissioner. Bruce has an excellent track record of service to this community and will work hard to bring projects to the area and make sure they can access Boulder’s exceptional locations and crew.”
Meryem Ersoz Award-Winning Cinematographer & Feature Film Line Producer