News

Lafayette Joins Boulder in Creating Festival Short-Term Rental Licenses for Sundance

Published October 2026

Published October 14, 2026 — The city of Lafayette has approved a new festival short-term rental license designed specifically to accommodate visitors arriving for Sundance's January 2027 Boulder debut, according to Denver7 (Oct 12, 2026). The move makes Lafayette among the neighboring communities formally mirroring Boulder's own licensing push ahead of the January 21–31, 2027 event, alongside Louisville and Superior, which also plan festival-specific licensing.

Boulder moved first, creating a dedicated Sundance lodging rental license that drew a striking response: 1,848 applications were pending as of October 1, 2026, as reported by KDVR. Visit Boulder has acknowledged that the city's existing hotel inventory is unlikely to meet demand from the crowds expected to descend on the festival's new home, which helps explain why so many homeowners moved quickly to register.

With Lafayette now offering its own licensing pathway, festivalgoers who can't secure lodging inside Boulder's city limits have a formally recognized option just a few miles away. Lafayette sits about 10 miles east of Boulder along the US-287 corridor, making it a practical base for anyone planning to commute to screenings and events.

Note: Specific fees, application deadlines, and eligibility rules for both Boulder and Lafayette licenses have not been detailed here. Check each city's official website directly for the most current requirements before applying or booking.

Why It Matters for Festivalgoers

More legal rental supply. Multiple cities issuing festival-specific licenses means more vetted, above-board short-term rental options for attendees — important when demand is expected to far outstrip standard hotel capacity.
Broader geographic search. If Boulder listings fill up or prices climb, Lafayette is now a legitimate and regulated alternative worth searching.
Know the rules before you book. Hosts operating under these licenses should be able to show they are properly registered. As a guest, it's worth confirming a listing is compliant with whichever city's rules apply.
Plan early. With 1,848 Boulder applications already in the pipeline, desirable rentals are likely to go fast.

For a deeper look at your options, see our guides to Boulder's short-term rental license, staying outside Boulder, and housing and rentals for the festival.

Venue locations for Sundance 2027 were officially announced in February 2026, and passes and ticketing went on sale in October 2026. Stay tuned to SundanceBoCo for the latest updates on program details and planning resources.