Explore the Full Sundance Effect Series: A Kiki & Brad Insider Series

Boulder is getting its close-up. Are you ready for the sequel?

Sundance is officially coming to Boulder in 2027, but the real estate impact is already beginning. Most people are focused on the "opening night" hype—short-term rentals and quick cash. To me? That’s just the trailer. The real story is much bigger.

What I see is a long-term shift in how Boulder is perceived, who it attracts, and how we, as homeowners, need to position ourselves before the credits roll.

Homegrown Expertise (Since the Era of Razor & Tape)

I’m not looking at this from the outside. Boulder is where my first memories were made. I grew up here, went to school here, and graduated from CU Boulder’s film program back when we spliced film with a razor and tape.

Now, at 55, with my kids grown and out in the world, Brad and I find ourselves rewatching early 90s classics and reflecting on how this town has evolved. I’ve built a 30-year career here helping hundreds of clients navigate every transition—from the "Kiddie Condo" for a CU student to luxury estates West of Broadway. That perspective matters.

What Is "The Sundance Effect"?

It’s the long-term shift that happens when a globally recognized cultural event changes how a place is valued. For Boulder, it means:

• The "Gold Coast" Expansion: New visibility for our most exclusive neighborhoods West of Broadway.

• The Golden Triangle Glow: Increased interest in the horse farms and country estates to the North.

• Strategic Positioning: Buyers and investors moving early to catch the wave before 2027.

Most agents are talking about rentals. That is only the surface. Brad and I are watching the "Hollywood vs. Homegrown" tension—how Boulder’s identity expands on a national stage without losing its local soul.

The Kiki & Brad Difference

I don’t interpret Boulder from a spreadsheet alone. I know these neighborhoods across generations because I’ve lived them. Whether you are looking for that "Unicorn" luxury property or rightsizing for your next great chapter, every transaction deserves a thoughtful strategy and local insight.

With my husband Brad Thomas joining me as my business partner, we’ve combined my market intuition with his 25 years of tech and data systems. Together, we offer the "Full Kiki Experience"—boutique, relationship-driven, and strategically engineered.

Explore the Series

I’ve broken this down into four chapters to help you understand the market shift and think about your property strategically.

Explore the Full Sundance Effect Series

Part 1: The Opportunity Isn't What You Think

Start here for the big-picture view on off-market activity and selective demand.

Part 2: Should You Rent Your Home for Sundance?

The "Three Paths" for homeowners: Rent, Host, or Opt Out. It’s about alignment, not just income.

Part 3: Rules, Licensing, and the "Hollywood Match"

The straight talk on the $100k rental hype, new City licenses, and the HOA wall.

Part 4: What’s Actually Driving the High-End Market?

Beyond the red carpet: Why the "Boulder Mix" is the real star of the show.

What Most People Are Missing

A lot of agents are talking about Sundance like it is just a short-term rental event.

It is not.

This is a cultural and market shift. It has the potential to influence who discovers Boulder, who invests here, who returns here, and how the city is valued as both a lifestyle destination and a real estate market.

That does not mean every prediction will happen overnight. It does mean the people who understand the shift early will be in a much stronger position than those who wait until 2027 to pay attention.

Timing matters.

Final Thoughts

Sundance is not simply an event to react to. It is something buyers, sellers, and homeowners can begin positioning around now.

I’ll continue sharing what I see as Boulder moves closer to 2027, including how the market may respond, where opportunities may emerge, and what strategies make the most sense for different kinds of clients.

If you’re thinking about how this could affect your property, your timing, or your next move, I’d be glad to talk it through with you.

Kiki Kidder &. Brad Thomas
Boulder Real Estate Advisors | Compass