Homeowner Guide
Know the rules.
Rent with confidence.
Renting your home in Boulder during the Sundance Film Festival requires a license. This guide explains the two types available, which one is right for you, and how Marquee walks you through the process from start to finish.
The Landscape
Two Licenses, Different Purposes
The City of Boulder regulates short-term rentals closely. If you want to rent your home for money, even for a single weekend, you need a license. Operating without one puts you at risk of fines and can jeopardize future eligibility.
Boulder currently offers two relevant license types for homeowners interested in renting during the Sundance Film Festival: the Festival Lodging Rental License, which was created specifically for event-driven rentals like the Sundance Film Festival, and the Short-Term Rental License, which covers year-round hosting for owner-occupied properties.
For most Boulder homeowners renting exclusively during the Sundance Film Festival, the Festival Lodging Rental License is the right path. Here's what you need to know about both.
License Type 1
Festival Lodging Rental License
Created by Boulder City Council (Ordinance 8715, approved October 2025)
The Festival Lodging Rental License was created by Boulder City Council specifically to allow homeowners to participate in major, city-approved events like the Sundance Film Festival. It is newer, simpler, and designed with exactly this use case in mind.
Key Details
Who Qualifies
When You Can Rent
A Festival Lodging Rental License can only be activated during city-approved Special Festival Events. Boulder defines a qualifying festival as one that runs at least five consecutive days, draws more than 50,000 attendees, and exceeds Boulder's hotel capacity of roughly 2,900 rooms. Currently, the Sundance Film Festival is the primary event that meets this threshold.
License holders may rent during the festival period plus a buffer of up to 10 days before and 9 days after the official event dates, subject to the 29-day annual cap. The city notifies all license holders by email when approved event dates are confirmed.
The Festival Lodging Rental License cannot be used for CU graduation, football weekends, or other local events. Only city-approved Special Festival Events. It also cannot be combined with other rental license types on the same unit.
License Type 2
Short-Term Rental License
Boulder's Short-Term Rental License is the city's established framework for short-term stays that happen at any point during the year. It is designed for homeowners who live in the property and want to rent it out regularly throughout the year—not just during a single event.
Key Details
Requirements
Already Have a Short-Term Rental License?
If you already hold a Short-Term Rental License, you do not need to obtain a Festival Lodging Rental License. Your existing license covers you for Sundance Film Festival rentals. Simply list your property through Marquee as you would for any short-term rental engagement.
Decision Guide
Which License Is Right for You?
Renting Your Primary Home for the Sundance Film Festival Only
You live in your Boulder home full-time and want to earn rental income during the Sundance Film Festival, then return home when it's over.
Second Home or Investment Property
You own a second property in Boulder that you don't live in and want to rent it out during the festival.
Year-Round Hosting
You live in your home and want to host guests throughout the year, not just during the Sundance Film Festival.
The Process
Applying for the Festival Lodging License
Applications for the Festival Lodging Rental License opened December 1, 2025. The process is straightforward, and Marquee walks every homeowner through it.
01
Apply to Marquee
Submit your property through Marquee. We review every application and confirm your eligibility before you spend any time on city paperwork.
02
Obtain a Business License
Boulder requires a business license as part of the rental license application. The one-time fee is $25. Marquee provides step-by-step guidance.
03
Submit City Application
Complete the Festival Lodging application on the City of Boulder's portal. You'll sign safety and ownership affidavits and pay the $190 license fee.
04
You're Ready to Rent
Once your license is issued, Marquee lists your property and begins matching it with qualified corporate guests for the festival.
Compliance
Taxes & Ongoing Obligations
Rental income in Boulder is subject to a short-term rental tax regardless of which license you hold. With a Festival Lodging Rental License, the city collects a 7.5% short-term rental tax on the total rental price. This is separate from any federal or state income tax obligations.
Marquee handles tax collection and remittance to the city on your behalf as part of the payment processing flow. You receive your net earnings after applicable taxes are collected. There are no manual calculations or filings required on your end for the city-level rental tax.
For federal and state income tax obligations, see our separate guide on handling taxes for festival rentals, which covers Section 280A(g) and what the 14-day rule means for your Sundance Film Festival income.
We're With You
How Marquee Helps With Licensing
Licensing shouldn't be a barrier. Our team has navigated this process for homeowners across Boulder, and we provide hands-on guidance at every step.
Eligibility Check
We review your property and ownership structure upfront to confirm which license applies to you, so there are no surprises mid-application.
Application Guidance
We walk you through the city application step by step from business license registration to the Festival Lodging application itself.
Tax & Compliance Handling
Marquee collects and remits city rental taxes on your behalf and provides year-end 1099 documentation for your federal and state filings.
Ready to Get Licensed and Listed?
Start your Marquee application and we'll guide you through the licensing process. Most homeowners have their Festival Lodging License in hand within a week.
License requirements and fees are based on Boulder City Ordinance 8715 and the City of Boulder's published rental licensing information as of 2025. Always verify current requirements directly at bouldercolorado.gov before applying.