Colorado: America's Next Entertainment and Innovation Hub
Colorado is the most beautiful state in our union – we have places that look like the French Alps. It’s time we capitalize on our natural gifts while protecting our most precious resources.
BRINGING ENTERTAINMENT JOBS TO COLORADO
“Colorado doesn’t just provide locations for Hollywood – we become a partner. With our natural beauty, business-friendly environment, and world-class facilities, we’re not just competing with other states – we’re redefining what the entertainment industry can be.” – Underwood
With the Sundance Film Festival coming to Boulder next year, we have a golden opportunity. I will create a competitive 35% tax credit with incentives that benefit taxpayers while building a new entertainment and media economy.
We’ll take an environmentally conscious approach that allows Hollywood to shoot movies and TV shows here, creating thousands of jobs and millions in tax revenue. Social media creators will also be eligible for these credits under certain conditions – because the future of media is being written right here in Colorado.
Imagine: Colorado as the backdrop for the next great American films, while our workers earn good wages and our communities benefit from increased economic activity.
COMPREHENSIVE FILM INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
THE COLORADO FILM TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
35% Tax Credit Structure:
- Production Costs: 35% tax credit on all qualified Colorado expenditures
- Local Hire Bonus: Additional 5% credit for hiring 75%+ Colorado residents
- Rural Location Bonus: Additional 3% credit for filming outside metro Denver
- Green Production Bonus: Additional 2% credit for sustainable filming practices
- Maximum Total Credit: 45% for productions meeting all criteria
Qualified Expenditures:
- Cast and crew salaries (Colorado residents)
- Equipment rental from Colorado vendors
- Location fees paid to Colorado property owners
- Lodging, meals, and transportation in Colorado
- Post-production work performed in Colorado facilities
ECONOMIC IMPACT PROJECTIONS
Year 1 Target: $200 Million in Production Spending
- Tax Credits Issued: $70 million (35% average)
- Net Revenue Impact: $130 million in economic activity
- Jobs Created: 2,500 direct film jobs + 3,750 indirect jobs
- State Tax Revenue: $18 million from increased economic activity
Year 3 Target: $750 Million in Production Spending
- Tax Credits Issued: $263 million
- Net Revenue Impact: $487 million in economic activity
- Jobs Created: 9,500 direct film jobs + 14,250 indirect jobs
- State Tax Revenue: $68 million annually
Year 5 Target: $1.5 Billion in Production Spending
- Tax Credits Issued: $525 million
- Net Revenue Impact: $975 million in economic activity
- Jobs Created: 19,000 direct film jobs + 28,500 indirect jobs
- State Tax Revenue: $136 million annually
INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
Colorado Studios Complex
Location: 500-acre site near Denver International Airport Investment: $400 million public-private partnership Timeline: 3-year phased construction
Phase 1: Foundation Studios (Year 1)
- 10 Sound Stages: 15,000-40,000 sq ft each
- Production Offices: 200,000 sq ft of office space
- Equipment Rental Facility: $50 million inventory of cameras, lighting, grip equipment
- Post-Production Center: 25 editing suites, color correction, sound mixing
- Investment: $150 million
Phase 2: Expansion (Year 2)
- Additional 8 Sound Stages: Including water tanks and green screen facilities
- Backlot Construction: Western town, urban sets, natural environments
- Animation/VFX Studios: 100,000 sq ft dedicated digital production space
- Film School Partnership: CSU/CU satellite campuses on-site
- Investment: $175 million
Phase 3: Entertainment District (Year 3)
- Tourist Attractions: Studio tours, behind-the-scenes experiences
- Hotels and Dining: 300-room production hotel, restaurants, bars
- Retail and Entertainment: Movie memorabilia, theaters, family attractions
- Conference Centers: Industry events, premieres, festivals
- Investment: $75 million
Regional Production Hubs
Western Slope Film Center (Grand Junction)
- 4 Sound Stages: Focused on outdoor adventure productions
- Equipment Depot: Specialized outdoor filming gear
- Location Services: Coordinate filming in national parks, ski resorts
- Investment: $25 million
Mountain Film Studios (Vail/Aspen Area)
- Luxury Production Services: High-end commercials, music videos
- Winter Sports Specialists: Ski/snowboard filming expertise
- Celebrity Accommodations: Exclusive lodging for A-list talent
- Investment: $35 million
Fort Collins Digital Hub
- Animation Studios: Partner with CSU computer science program
- Video Game Development: Interactive entertainment production
- Virtual Reality Center: Cutting-edge VR/AR production
- Investment: $40 million
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Colorado Film Academy
Partnership: CSU, CU, and Community College of Denver Enrollment Target: 2,500 students annually by Year 3 Programs:
2-Year Associate Degrees:
- Camera and Electrical Department
- Grip and Rigging
- Sound Recording and Post-Production
- Makeup and Costume Design
- Set Construction and Design
4-Year Bachelor Programs:
- Film Production and Direction
- Screenwriting and Development
- Digital Visual Effects
- Entertainment Business and Marketing
Certificate Programs (6-12 months):
- Location Management
- Script Supervision
- Assistant Director Training
- Film Finance and Accounting
Industry Apprenticeship Programs
Union Partnerships:
- IATSE Local 7: Grip, electric, camera apprenticeships
- Teamsters Local 455: Transportation and logistics training
- Carpenters Local 55: Set construction apprenticeships
- SAG-AFTRA: Acting and performance workshops
Guaranteed Job Placement: 85% placement rate within 90 days of completion
MARKETING AND ATTRACTION STRATEGY
“Colorado: Naturally Cinematic” Campaign
Targeting Strategy:
- Major Studios: Disney, Warner Bros, Universal, Sony, Netflix, Amazon
- Independent Producers: Sundance alumni, A24, Neon, Focus Features
- Streaming Services: Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, HBO Max
- Commercial Producers: High-end advertising, music videos
Location Advantages:
- Diverse Landscapes: Mountains, plains, deserts, forests, urban settings
- Year-Round Filming: 300+ days of sunshine annually
- Cost Savings: 30-40% lower costs than California/New York
- No Traffic: Easy location access, predictable travel times
- Crew Availability: Experienced crews from regional commercial work
Sundance Film Festival Integration
Boulder Sundance Partnership (2027):
- Official State Sponsor: Colorado sponsors festival venues
- Industry Networking: Governor hosts reception for producers/directors
- Location Showcase: Virtual reality tours of Colorado filming locations
- Tax Credit Information: On-site consultations with film office staff
Annual Economic Impact: $45 million in tourism and industry spending
SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIGITAL CONTENT INCENTIVES
Colorado Creator Fund
Annual Budget: $25 million for digital content creators
Eligible Content:
- YouTube Productions: 100,000+ subscriber channels
- TikTok Campaigns: 1 million+ follower creators
- Instagram/Facebook: Branded content partnerships
- Twitch Streaming: Gaming and entertainment content
Incentive Structure:
- $5,000-50,000 Grants: Individual creator projects
- Production Support: Access to equipment and locations
- Marketing Partnership: Cross-promotion with Colorado Tourism
- Tax Credits: 20% credit on Colorado production expenses
Requirements:
- Colorado Content: Minimum 75% filmed in Colorado
- Economic Impact: Use local crews, vendors, services
- Tourism Promotion: Include Colorado travel/tourism elements
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
Green Production Standards
Carbon Neutral Filming:
- Renewable Energy: Solar-powered base camps and stages
- Electric Vehicles: EV fleet for transportation department
- Waste Reduction: Zero-waste craft services and catering
- Local Sourcing: Materials and services within 50 miles
Sustainability Incentives:
- 3% Tax Credit Bonus: Meet all green production standards
- Equipment Partnerships: Discounted rates for eco-friendly gear
- Marketing Benefits: “Filmed Sustainably in Colorado” certification
ECONOMIC MULTIPLIER EFFECTS
Tourism Impact
Film Tourism Revenue: $150 million annually by Year 5
- Location Visits: Fans visit filming locations after release
- Studio Tours: 500,000 annual visitors to production facilities
- Festival Events: Year-round film celebrations and premieres
- Celebrity Sightings: Entertainment media attention draws visitors
Real Estate and Development
Property Value Increases: 15-25% in production areas New Construction: $200 million in entertainment-related development Hotel and Restaurant Growth: 2,500 new hospitality jobs
Technology Sector Growth
VFX and Animation Studios: 15 new companies by Year 5 Gaming Industry: 8 video game studios relocate to Colorado Tech Talent Pipeline: 1,000 additional tech jobs supporting entertainment
COMPETITIVE ANALYSIS
Advantages Over Other States
vs. Georgia (Current #1 Film State):
- Better Locations: More diverse landscapes
- Lower Costs: Housing and living expenses 20% lower
- Weather: More filming days per year
- Quality of Life: Attracts talent to relocate permanently
vs. New Mexico:
- Better Infrastructure: World-class facilities vs. limited stages
- Workforce: Larger pool of experienced crew
- Market Access: Closer to Los Angeles for executives
vs. Louisiana:
- Political Stability: Consistent long-term incentive program
- Business Climate: More favorable regulatory environment
- Talent Attraction: Colorado lifestyle attracts A-list talent
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
Colorado Entertainment Industry Development Act
Tax Credit Program: 10-year commitment with automatic renewal Funding Source: Economic development bonds backed by projected tax revenue Oversight: Film Office expansion with 25 additional staff members Reporting: Annual economic impact studies and job creation metrics
Bipartisan Support Strategy:
- Conservative Appeal: Job creation, economic development, no new taxes
- Liberal Appeal: Arts support, environmental sustainability, worker benefits
- Rural Appeal: Economic opportunities outside Front Range
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
Year 1 (2027): Foundation
- Pass Legislation: Colorado Entertainment Industry Development Act
- Film Office Expansion: Hire staff, open LA liaison office
- Begin Construction: Phase 1 of Colorado Studios Complex
- Marketing Launch: “Colorado: Naturally Cinematic” campaign
- Target: $200 million in productions, 6,000 jobs
Year 2 (2028): Growth
- Studio Opening: First 10 sound stages operational
- Workforce Programs: Film Academy launches all programs
- Major Productions: Land first $100+ million film or series
- Creator Fund: Launch digital content incentive program
- Target: $500 million in productions, 12,000 jobs
Year 3 (2029): Expansion
- Full Studios Complex: All facilities operational
- Regional Hubs: Open Western Slope and Mountain facilities
- International Attention: Host major industry events and premieres
- Tourism Integration: Studio tours and film tourism programs
- Target: $750 million in productions, 18,000 jobs
Years 4-5 (2030-2031): Leadership
- Industry Recognition: Colorado established as major film destination
- Talent Relocation: Major stars and directors make Colorado home
- Technology Innovation: Leading VFX and animation hub
- Economic Maturity: Self-sustaining industry ecosystem
- Target: $1.5 billion in productions, 35,000 jobs
