Boulder stories

Getting Around Boulder Without a Car During Sundance

Published July 2026 · Updated September 2026

Boulder is one of the most walkable and bike-friendly cities in the United States, which makes it a genuinely great host for a major film festival. If you're planning to leave the car at home — or skip the rental entirely — here's how to move around town comfortably during a packed festival week.

RTD Bus Service and the Flatiron Flyer

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) connects Boulder to the broader Denver metro area, including Denver International Airport. The Flatiron Flyer (FF1) is RTD's bus rapid-transit route running along US-36 between Boulder and Denver, with stops near downtown Denver and several park-and-ride lots along the way. Trips typically take about an hour depending on your origin point, and buses run frequently throughout the day. If you're flying into DIA and want to avoid a costly rideshare, RTD's A Line train to Union Station combined with a Flatiron Flyer connection is a popular option worth researching before you arrive.

Specific fares and schedules are set by RTD and can change; always confirm current information at rtd-denver.com before your trip.

Local Hops: The HOP, SKIP, and BOUND Routes

For getting around Boulder itself, several high-frequency local routes have friendly names — the SKIP and BOUND are run by RTD, while the HOP is funded through a partnership among the City of Boulder, RTD, and CU Boulder, and operated under contract by Via Mobility Services:

The HOP loops through some of Boulder's most visited corridors, including the Hill neighborhood and areas near the University of Colorado campus (its route was revised in 2025 to serve Boulder Junction — confirm the current map).
The SKIP runs along Broadway, one of the city's main north–south arteries, making it useful for reaching venues spread across that stretch.
The BOUND runs along the 30th Street corridor, connecting Boulder Junction and other transit hubs.

These routes typically run every 10–15 minutes during peak hours, making them practical for hopping between screenings without watching a clock too anxiously. Fares are modest, and a day pass can be a smart buy if you plan multiple trips.

Biking: Boulder's Superpower

Boulder has an extensive network of separated bike paths and on-street lanes. The Boulder Creek Path runs east–west through the heart of the city and connects many neighborhoods without touching a single traffic light for long stretches. During festival week, biking can actually be *faster* than driving when parking is scarce.

Several bike-share and e-bike rental options operate in Boulder — check locally for current providers, as the landscape shifts from season to season. January weather in Boulder can be cold and occasionally snowy, so check forecasts and dress accordingly if you plan to pedal.

Just Walk

Downtown Boulder's Pearl Street Mall — a pedestrian-only zone lined with shops, restaurants, and gathering spots — sits within easy walking distance of many hotels and is likely to be a natural hub for festival energy. Much of the core festival activity tends to cluster in walkable areas, so comfortable shoes and layers will serve you better than a parking spot.

A Few Practical Tips

Download the RTD app or a transit app like Google Maps before you arrive; real-time arrivals make bus travel far less stressful.
Book accommodations near transit corridors if car-free travel is a priority.
Festival-specific shuttle or transit details for the 2027 Boulder edition of Sundance have not yet been announced; check Sundance Institute's official site and this guide for updates as they become available.
Rideshare apps operate in Boulder and can fill gaps, but expect surge pricing during peak screening times.

With a little planning, getting around Boulder without a car isn't just manageable — it might actually be the highlight of the trip.