Current State of Colorado’s Film Industry
March 2nd, 2025
Workforce and Production Activity: Colorado’s film sector is at a pivotal juncture. After a decade of modest growth, the industry has recently faced headwinds due to limited incentives. From 2012 to 2022, Colorado invested about $30 million in film incentives (roughly $3 million per year), supporting an estimated $182.8 million in production spending and 6,023 cast and crew hires during that period (coloradosun.com). Much of the in-state work in recent years has been in commercials and smaller independent projects, leveraging Colorado’s skilled crew base and diverse scenery. For example, commercial shoots for brands like Subaru in Telluride and Harley-Davidson in Leadville helped keep crews busy (colorado.edu). A Netflix feature (“Our Souls at Night”) and TV projects like Top Chef have also tapped into Colorado locations in the past (colorado.edu). However, large-scale film and TV productions have been infrequent, leading many local professionals to seek work out of state when big projects choose other locales.
Infrastructure: The limited big-budget activity has impacted Colorado’s film infrastructure. Industry reports note that the state’s crew base has been shrinking due to the inconsistent incentive program, as experienced workers leave for steadier work in film hubs like New Mexico and Georgia (colorado.edu). Likewise, critical infrastructure such as rental houses (for cameras, lighting, grip equipment) and soundstages have struggled. Several equipment rental companies and soundstage facilities in Colorado downsized or closed in recent years, a direct result of fewer major productions needing their services (colorado.edu). At present, Colorado lacks large “Hollywood-scale” soundstages. Production teams often shoot on location in Colorado’s great outdoors or urban settings, then depart to other states for studio work and post-production (redbarre.com). This gap has been recognized by industry leaders – plans are underway to bolster infrastructure. For instance, private developers have proposed new facilities like the Redbarre media campus in the Denver area, which aims to offer 75,000 sq. ft. of sound stages and full-service production capabilities in-state (redbarre.com, redbarre.com). Such projects, alongside upgrades to post-production houses (e.g. the new Dolby Atmos mix theater opened by Mass FX Media in Wheat Ridge), are positioning Colorado to support bigger productions in the near future. The current reality, however, is that Colorado’s film workforce and infrastructure remain underutilized assets – highly skilled but often working on smaller-scale projects or commuting to busier neighboring states.
New Incentives and Legislative Updates Attracting Productions
State policymakers have acknowledged that stronger incentives are key to revitalizing Colorado’s film industry. In mid-2024, Colorado enacted House Bill 1358, a significant update to its film incentive program. Governor Jared Polis signed HB 1358 at the iconic Stanley Hotel (famous from The Shining), signaling a renewed commitment to grow the industry (coloradosun.com). This legislation converted Colorado’s old rebate into a refundable tax credit and expanded its scope and funding (cpr.org, cpr.org). Key features of the current incentive program include:
20% base tax credit on qualified local expenditures for film, television, commercials, and video game production (refundable against taxes) (greenslate.com). An additional 2% uplift (total 22%) is available for projects that shoot in certain enhanced rural counties, to encourage filming beyond the Denver metro (greenslate.com).
Annual funding of $5 million for the incentive pool over the next four years (greenslate.com). This multi-year allocation (a jump from year-to-year funding before) provides stability. Productions can now plan a few years out, knowing credits will be available, rather than racing to fit into a one-year window (coloradosun.com, coloradosun.com).
Minimum spend thresholds to qualify: $100,000 in-state spend for Colorado-based companies (and $1 million for out-of-state productions) (greenslate.com). This ensures that very small projects still benefit local vendors but the credits mainly support significant productions.
A new “reservation” system where productions apply and secure their tax credit allocation before filming (leg.colorado.gov). Once approved, they receive a certificate after completing production and a CPA audit, as long as they meet all requirements (leg.colorado.gov). Credits can be claimed for projects completed by the end of 2031, with the program slated to sunset in 2032 without further renewal (leg.colorado.gov).
These incentives have already begun to make an impact. The cash rebate model used since 2012 had a reputation for running dry quickly and creating uncertainty. By contrast, the refundable tax credit gives producers confidence that funds will be there at project’s end, or can even be sold/transferred if the production company can’t use the full credit (common in other states’ programs) (cpr.org). Colorado’s film commissioner, Donald Zuckerman, emphasizes that investing in film yields strong returns: by his office’s analysis, the state gets an 18:1 return on investment for every dollar spent on film incentives (i.e. $18 in local spending is induced per $1 of credit) (cpr.org). Legislators likewise expect the expanded program to be a “huge financial boon” for local businesses – from hotels and caterers to construction and other support services – especially with the bonus incentives for using local crew and shooting in rural or underserved urban areas (greenslate.com, coloradosun.com).
Beyond the existing program, Colorado is considering bold new incentives to attract marquee events. In the 2025 legislative session, a bipartisan proposal (House Bill 25-1005) is offering $34 million in tax credits over 10 years to lure the prestigious Sundance Film Festival to Boulder (tsscolorado.com, tsscolorado.com). Sundance, currently held in Utah, is evaluating new locations for 2027 onwards, and Colorado leaders see this as a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The incentive (targeted specifically at large film festivals with 100,000+ ticket sales) would only pay out after each year’s festival, effectively rebating a portion of the massive economic impact Sundance would bring (tsscolorado.com). For context, the 2024 Sundance festival in Utah generated an estimated $132 million in GDP for its host region and ~1,730 jobs, along with thousands of visitors (tsscolorado.com). Winning Sundance could instantly elevate Colorado’s film profile and inject tens of millions into the economy annually. The near-unanimous support this bill has garnered shows a political appetite in Colorado to invest in film and media as an economic driver (tsscolorado.com, tsscolorado.com). Even as lawmakers debate the specifics, the message is clear: Colorado is serious about competing for big-name productions and events, using smart incentives as the lure.
Impact on Attracting Productions: The combination of these incentives is expected to boost production activity in the short term. With $5 million available per year (versus effectively zero in lean years before), Colorado can support multiple projects annually without running out of funds immediately. In fact, the state film office has already seen independent features like Welcome to the Fishbowl choose to film entirely in Colorado “despite modest state incentives”, and now able to tap the new tax credit program (cpr.org, cpr.org). The new multi-year horizon is particularly important for television series and multi-part film projects. Previously, a big TV show could “gobble up” the entire incentive budget in one go; now, with a guaranteed multi-year program, Colorado hopes to attract an episodic TV series that might shoot season after season in-state (coloradosun.com). Such a series would be a game-changer, creating steady jobs and showcasing Colorado on screens worldwide. While the incentive amounts are still relatively small, the strategic targeting – including extra credits for filming in rural areas, hiring local workforce, and utilizing Colorado’s existing infrastructure – is designed to maximize local benefit (greenslate.com). In short, Colorado’s latest legislative moves are laying a more competitive foundation. The next 1-2 years should reveal the payoff: industry observers expect a noticeable uptick in film permits, crew bookings, and out-of-state production companies scouting Colorado locations as these incentives take effect (the new credits became effective August 2024 (leg.colorado.gov)).
The Role of Unions in Labor Conditions and Standards
Like the rest of the U.S. film industry, Colorado’s production workforce operates under the guidance and protections of the major entertainment unions. Two unions in particular – IATSE (International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees), which covers film/TV crew and technicians, and SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists) for actors and performers – play a crucial role in shaping labor conditions on Colorado sets. These unions ensure that any significant production in Colorado adheres to national industry standards for wages, work hours, safety, and benefits. For instance, IATSE’s basic agreement sets strict rules on turnaround time (to prevent excessive hours) and requires safety training for crew, while SAG-AFTRA contracts guarantee actors minimum day rates, health contributions, and residuals. Even smaller independent films often become SAG-AFTRA signatories to access professional actors under union terms. This union presence is vital for maintaining a professional workforce: local crew and talent can build careers in Colorado knowing that union rates and working conditions here are on par with Los Angeles or New York. It also gives producers confidence that Colorado crews will be experienced and their work hours regulated for safety and efficiency.
Union Influence in Colorado: Colorado has an active IATSE local (IATSE Local 7 in Denver) and a SAG-AFTRA Colorado Local covering actors in the region. These unions not only negotiate contracts but also invest in training and community standards. In fact, union leadership has been a vocal advocate for the state’s recent incentive expansion. “Productions shy away from Colorado” when incentives are uncertain, noted Bryant Preston, President of IATSE Local 7, illustrating how inconsistent policy was costing union jobs (coloradosun.com). Preston and other union representatives supported HB 1358 because a stable incentive means steadier work for their members – and less talent drain out of state (coloradosun.com). The recent high-profile Hollywood strikes in 2023 (by SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild) also underscored the importance of union solidarity in Colorado. Local SAG-AFTRA members joined picket lines in Denver in solidarity, pushing for fair contracts on issues like streaming residuals and AI rights. When those strikes concluded with improved terms nationally, Colorado actors and crew benefited as well, since union contracts apply nationwide. As production resumes, Colorado’s union crews are ready to work under the updated agreements that prioritize safety, livable wages, and reasonable hours.
Unions also contribute to professional development and standards. For example, IATSE Local 7 runs training courses for camera operators, grips, and electricians to stay current with technology. SAG-AFTRA’s local events educate actors on contract rules and audition techniques. Both unions enforce standards that elevate the quality of Colorado-based productions – ensuring, for instance, that a union camera assistant in Colorado is held to the same competency as one on a Hollywood set. For producers and executives, this translates to reliability: when hiring in Colorado, they can expect union crews who know their craft and follow established protocols. Overall, the partnership between Colorado’s film community and its unions creates a stable labor environment that not only protects workers but also makes the state more attractive to filmmakers seeking professional-grade production values. In the coming years, as more projects come in under the new incentives, the continued collaboration with IATSE and SAG-AFTRA will be key to scaling up the workforce while preserving fair labor practices.
Resources and Emerging Opportunities for Filmmakers
Colorado’s ecosystem offers a growing menu of resources for filmmakers and content creators – from education and training to grants and networking. These initiatives, many of them industry-led or state-supported, are nurturing homegrown talent and preparing the state for a more robust production future.
Workforce Training and Education: Colorado is home to respected film schools and hands-on training programs. The Colorado Film School (at the Community College of Aurora) produces dozens of graduates each year with experience in directing, writing, cinematography, and editing. To bridge students into the industry, the Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media sponsors programs like the Film Exposure Program, which gives rural high school students real-world experience making short films with professional mentors (wrapbook.com, wrapbook.com). This program has expanded to multiple school sites, complete with equipment grants, and is helping cultivate the next generation of filmmakers across the state. There’s also a targeted Native American youth film workshop – a summer grant program enabling Ute Mountain Ute and Southern Ute teens to create documentaries about issues important to their communities (wrapbook.com). On the professional side, the state film office regularly hosts workshops and seminars on topics from production management to new camera technologies (wrapbook.com), often free or low-cost for Colorado residents. These educational efforts are steadily building a more qualified workforce. They address a key concern of recent years: too many talented graduates would leave Colorado after school due to a lack of opportunities (coloradosun.com). By investing in local training and early-career opportunities, Colorado aims to retain that talent.
Grants and Funding Opportunities: Through its Colorado Creative Industries division, the state offers grants that indie filmmakers can leverage. One example is the film office’s Film Festival Support & Promotion Grant, which supports more than 40 film festivals and educational film events statewide each year (wrapbook.com). By bolstering festivals (from the star-studded Denver Film Festival to niche community fests), the grant indirectly helps local filmmakers—festivals often provide platforms for local work, cash awards, or connections to investors. Additionally, the Denver Film Society administers the “MOFFOM” Grant (Music On Film-Film On Music), providing up to $20,000 annually specifically for documentary filmmakers to complete music licensing or scoring (denverfilm.org). This kind of finishing fund has helped Colorado docs get to the finish line. Independent creators can also seek fiscal sponsorship and small grants through organizations like the Colorado Film & Video Association and Arts councils. While Colorado’s funding for film is not as deep as some coastal states’, these targeted grants and partnerships (public and private) are emerging to fill critical gaps, whether it’s covering a student film’s equipment rental or helping an indie feature with post-production costs.
Networking and Community Initiatives: A hallmark of Colorado’s film scene is its tight-knit, collaborative community. The Colorado Film & Video Association (CFVA), a nonprofit trade group, anchors much of this community. CFVA holds monthly networking mixers known as “Schmoozers,” where industry professionals and newcomers mingle, swap job leads, and discuss the latest projects. It also runs a Mentorship Program that pairs emerging filmmakers with seasoned mentors one-on-one for a few months (cfva.com, cfva.com) – an effort to uplift newcomers and cross-pollinate skills in the community. Another grassroots fixture is the Emerging Filmmakers Project (EFP) at Denver’s Bug Theatre, which has showcased local indie shorts every month since 2002 (bugtheatre.org). For a $5 ticket, anyone can watch new films by Colorado creatives, then participate in Q&A and informal networking – an invaluable stepping stone for first-time directors and a place for crew to find passion projects. These types of gatherings (along with meetup groups, camera clubs, and screenwriting circles in cities like Denver, Colorado Springs, and Boulder) create an accessible networking infrastructure. It’s not uncommon for a producer to find her next cinematographer or a writer to meet a potential director for their script at a CFVA event or an EFP screening. The unions and guilds also contribute: SAG-AFTRA’s Colorado Local, for instance, co-sponsors events at the Denver Film Festival and offers workshops for actors, which double as networking venues. In short, despite being a smaller market, Colorado has fostered a supportive network where filmmakers can connect with peers, find collaborators, and join forces to get projects off the ground. This collaborative spirit is one of Colorado’s strengths and will be crucial as the industry scales up – ensuring that as new opportunities arise, local creatives hear about them and can participate.
Emerging Opportunities: The convergence of new incentives and community momentum is yielding fresh opportunities. In 2023-24, a handful of independent feature films and series pilots have chosen Colorado, sensing that the timing is right. These include not just local passion projects but also out-of-state producers giving Colorado a try because of its unique landscapes and improving incentives. With the establishment of the state’s incentive reservation system, filmmakers can now confidently pitch Colorado as a viable location to financiers. The state film office has also been marketing Colorado’s “Film Ready” communities – cities and towns that have streamlined permit processes and film-friendly policies (Denver, for example, has an Office of Special Events that coordinates film permits quickly (denvergov.org, denvergov.org)). This initiative means that when a production scouts a Colorado location, local officials are prepared to assist rather than hinder. Another opportunity area is the intersection of film with other booming Colorado industries, such as tech and gaming. With companies like Deck Nine Games (in Westminster) expanding and even hiring creatives in rural Colorado (colorado.edu), there’s a crossover of skills between gaming, VR, and film that the state is nurturing. Colorado’s pipeline of talent in adjacent fields – animation, VFX, digital media – is growing, and new studios like Mass FX Media’s facility are creating jobs that allow those artists to stay in Colorado and work on high-profile projects remotely (animationmagazine.net, animationmagazine.net). All these resources and programs, while still developing, indicate that Colorado is deliberately building an ecosystem to support a larger film industry. From training young talent to providing networking forums and a bit of seed funding, the pieces are being put in place to catch the wave of productions that the incentives aim to attract.
Competing in the National Landscape: Colorado vs. Neighboring States
Colorado’s film ambitions do not exist in a vacuum – the state is vying for projects in a highly competitive national landscape. Thirty-eight U.S. states now offer film incentives of some form (coloradosun.com), and decisions about where to film are often driven as much by tax credits as by locations. For Colorado, the nearest competitors are neighbors like New Mexico and Utah, which have in recent years built formidable film industries.
New Mexico: Perhaps Colorado’s toughest competition in the region, New Mexico has become a film production powerhouse. With its generous incentives and purpose-built infrastructure, New Mexico attracted a record 109 productions in fiscal year 2022, accounting for $855 million in direct spending in that single year (governor.state.nm.us). The state offers a 25%–35% refundable rebate on qualified spend, with no annual cap on payouts – meaning it can accommodate multiple blockbusters simultaneously. In fact, New Mexico’s annual rebate payouts are slated to increase from $110 million to $160 million over the next four years, under a recent expansion (coloradosun.com). Major studios have set up shop in Albuquerque (Netflix purchased ABQ Studios and is investing $1 billion into production there, and NBCUniversal opened its own studio), creating a virtuous cycle where big projects draw experienced crew, which in turn draws more projects. By comparison, Colorado’s $5 million-a-year credit fund is modest. This disparity has historically led productions with Colorado-based stories to film in New Mexico to capitalize on the savings. A notable example: the hit TV series Yellowstone, set in Montana but originally eyeing Colorado’s ranch country, ultimately filmed its first seasons in New Mexico and Utah – leveraging their incentives while simulating Colorado’s look (coloradosun.com, kuer.org). New Mexico also boasts a crew base of several thousand union film workers and robust union locals (IATSE Local 480 in NM is one of the largest outside LA/NY). This means a producer can bring a $50 million movie to New Mexico and hire an entirely local (and experienced) crew, saving on travel costs. Colorado’s challenge is to steadily grow its own crew depth and infrastructure to offer a similar value proposition on a smaller scale. The good news: New Mexico’s success has helped validate the economic model of film incentives – even a 2023 audit in Georgia acknowledged film tax credits “induce substantial economic activity” despite costs (coloradosun.com) – and Colorado can now point to neighboring New Mexico when making the case for investing in its program (coloradosun.com). In short, New Mexico currently outpaces Colorado by an order of magnitude, but Colorado’s recent moves are designed to start closing that gap by attracting a slice of the productions that might otherwise bypass it.
Utah: While not as large as New Mexico’s industry, Utah presents a strong regional competitor with some similarities to Colorado. Utah’s film incentive offers 20%–25% tax credits (25% for shooting in rural counties) (kuer.org), and an important 2022 law removed the annual cap for rural productions, effectively allowing unlimited credits for projects in certain parts of the state (kuer.org). This has turbocharged production in Utah’s diverse locales – from the red rock deserts to Salt Lake City’s urban backdrop. In 2023, Utah had almost $85 million in production booked, including Kevin Costner’s big-budget western “Horizon: An American Saga” filming its sequel in the state (kuer.org). Utah’s proximity to Los Angeles (a short flight or one-day drive) and its established reputation (famously, Disney’s High School Musical was shot in Salt Lake City (kuer.org)) make it an attractive option. The Utah Film Commission touts a $7 return for every $1 of incentive spent, underlining the economic benefits to its legislature (kuer.org). One edge Colorado holds over Utah is in major festival presence: Colorado hosts internationally renowned festivals (Telluride Film Festival, Denver Film Festival) whereas Utah’s claim to fame, Sundance, might relocate. If Colorado succeeds in bringing Sundance to Boulder, it would be a significant competitive win, potentially drawing the focus of indie filmmakers and studios to Colorado each year. Another Colorado advantage is its larger metropolitan base (Denver) with more extensive direct air connections and amenities, which big productions value. However, Utah has been very strategic in courting productions with its rural incentive and marketing the fact that it can look like anywhere USA (Utah officials joke they can replicate many settings – a trait Colorado shares with its mix of mountains, plains, and cities) (kuer.org). Both states have spectacular scenery; the competition often comes down to the dollars on the table. Right now, Utah’s incentive war chest and usage exceed Colorado’s, but Colorado is catching up in policy support. It’s notable that Colorado film officials see their immediate competition as Utah, Wyoming, and Oklahoma, rather than trying to leap straight to Georgia levels (coloradosun.com). By first matching the output of states like Utah, Colorado can establish itself as a regional filming hub.
National Positioning: On the national stage, Colorado is positioning itself as a boutique production destination – not yet a volume leader, but a place where quality projects can find unique value. Unlike states such as Georgia, which has poured over $5 billion in tax credits since 2005 to build a massive industry (coloradosun.com, coloradosun.com), Colorado’s approach is more targeted. It banks on the idea that its authentic locations (real mountain towns, high plains, vibrant cities) coupled with decent incentives can attract projects that want those visuals and a great experience for cast and crew. Many industry professionals note that Colorado’s lifestyle is a selling point: crew and actors enjoy working here for the scenery and recreation on days off. Indeed, when filming in Colorado, “the state becomes a character itself,” as one filmmaker put it (cpr.org). States like New Mexico and Utah share some of that allure, but Colorado’s brand – the Rocky Mountain zeitgeist – is distinct. The goal is to capitalize on that brand plus competitive incentives. With 38 states now offering deals, producers will compare Colorado’s 20% credit and $5M cap to others. Colorado may not win purely financial footraces against, say, Georgia’s uncapped 30% (with an extra 10% if you include the Georgia peach logo (coloradosun.com)) or New Mexico’s deep rebates. However, Colorado can win in scenarios where its combination of factors tips the scale: a script that needs Colorado’s look, a director who lives in Colorado, a production that values the state’s crew expertise in high-altitude or winter shooting, etc. Each neighboring state has its niche – New Mexico for Southwest desert looks and studio backlots, Utah for red rock and salt flats, Arizona for Old West, etc. Colorado uniquely offers alpine vistas, modern cityscapes, and rolling prairies in one state, which can double for many settings. Now, backed by a more robust incentive, Colorado is making the case that it can be the whole package: the right locations, the right people, and the right fiscal environment. Industry executives watching the region will be comparing outcomes over the next couple of years – if Colorado’s reforms yield a few high-profile wins (say, a streaming series chooses Denver over Albuquerque), it will elevate Colorado’s standing significantly. At the same time, Colorado must continue to evaluate its incentive levels against its neighbors’. The consensus is that Colorado doesn’t need to match New Mexico dollar for dollar, but it does need to be competitive enough to remain “in the conversation,” as Utah’s film commissioner said of her state (kuer.org). With film production now so incentives-driven (coloradosun.com), Colorado’s strategic, incremental approach will be continually refined to secure a stronger foothold in this competitive arena.
Future Outlook: Challenges and Strategic Growth Initiatives
The stage is set for Colorado’s film industry to enter a new growth phase, but success is not guaranteed. Over the next 1–2 years, several developments are expected – alongside ongoing challenges that industry leaders are actively addressing.
Projected Developments (Next 1–2 Years): Thanks to the incentive expansion, Colorado is anticipating a surge in production inquiries and bookings. State film officials have indicated that multiple projects which previously would have been out of reach are now in serious discussions to film in Colorado in 2024 and 2025. We can expect to see a handful of independent feature films, maybe a streaming movie or limited series, and a steady flow of commercials shooting across the state in the coming year. The hope is to land at least one high-visibility project (for instance, a well-known series or a studio feature) that can serve as a proof of concept for the new program’s effectiveness. Each such project will test Colorado’s capacity – from crew depth to equipment availability – and demonstrate areas for improvement. Concurrently, the groundwork is being laid for infrastructure improvements. Some local entrepreneurs and out-of-state investors have shown interest in building new soundstage facilities if demand materializes. By late 2025, we could see the groundbreaking of a new studio facility in the Denver area, bolstered by public-private partnerships. Even without a major purpose-built studio yet, smaller upgrades are happening: existing warehouses are being repurposed as makeshift soundstages for indie productions, and rental houses are restocking equipment anticipating higher usage. On the workforce side, union locals (IATSE, Teamsters, etc.) are ramping up recruitment of new members and training programs, expecting that more crew will be needed. The state’s film office, together with educational institutions, is likely to announce expanded training initiatives – for example, accelerated crew training bootcamps or incentives for experienced crew from other states to mentor local trainees – to ensure Colorado can staff larger productions without labor shortages. Another development to watch is the outcome of the Sundance bid. If Colorado secures the Sundance Film Festival in Boulder for 2027, preparations will start well before then. In the next two years, that could mean significant planning, investment in venue infrastructure, and the growth of Boulder’s hospitality sector, effectively spinning off a mini-industry of its own that complements film production (e.g., festival operations, year-round film events leading up to Sundance). Even if Sundance ultimately stays in Utah or goes elsewhere, the mere process of bidding for it is raising Colorado’s profile and could lead to Boulder hosting other sizable film events or markets. Overall, industry insiders are optimistic that by 2025, Colorado’s film scene will visibly “level up” – more trucks and crews on the streets, more local film premieres, and higher utilization of the state’s beautiful shooting locations, from the San Juan Mountains to the Denver skyline.
Key Challenges: Despite the positive momentum, Colorado faces significant challenges as it strives to grow its film industry. The first is scale and consistency of funding. A $5 million annual incentive cap, while a huge improvement, can still be consumed by one medium-sized film or a couple of episodes of a TV series. There is a real risk that if a big project uses up the year’s credits early, smaller projects later might be turned away – recreating a boom-bust cycle. Policymakers will need to monitor this and may consider budget supplemental requests if demand far exceeds supply. Keeping the incentive funded (and ideally expanding it) beyond the initial four-year window will also require continued political support and proof that the program is yielding jobs and economic impact. Another challenge is rebuilding crew and vendor capacity quickly enough. If multiple productions descend on Colorado simultaneously, will there be enough skilled crew to staff them without importing labor? At present, many department heads (production designers, cinematographers, etc.) in Colorado have limits on how big a project they’ve done simply because those opportunities weren’t here. Productions might still bring in above-the-line talent or keys from LA, which means fewer opportunities for locals. The brain drain of the past (talent leaving to other markets) can’t be reversed overnight. This is why the infrastructure and training initiatives are so critical – but they will take time to bear fruit.
Linked to that is the challenge of crew and vendor distribution across the state. Incentives are encouraging rural filming, but rural Colorado has very limited production services. A film in a small town might need to house and bring in crew from Denver or out of state, incurring costs that eat into the incentive benefit. Ensuring that all regions – Western Slope, Southern Colorado, etc. – have some baseline capacity (or quick deployment mechanisms) will be important if statewide filming is to flourish. The state’s network of regional film commissions is a start, helping connect producers with local contacts, but further development (like regional equipment hubs or training locals in basic production assistant roles) could help address this (colorado.edu, colorado.edu).
Another ongoing challenge is competition. Neighboring states are not standing still. New Mexico recently increased its rural uplift and has long-term deals with major studios; Utah, as noted, expanded its incentives and could counter Colorado’s moves with new perks of its own. Even states like Arizona and Nevada are considering jumping into the incentive game, which would crowd the field further. Colorado will have to stay agile – possibly carving out niche programs (for example, an incentive add-on for winter mountain filming safety costs, or green filmmaking bonuses) to differentiate itself.
Finally, the industry must navigate the post-pandemic and post-strike landscape. The production pipeline nationally has been disrupted by COVID-19 and the 2023 strikes, leading to a backlog of projects but also new filming protocols and budget constraints. Some studios are cutting back on content spend, which could mean fewer total projects to go around in the short term. Colorado will have to market itself smartly to capture a share of a possibly reduced pie in 2024, emphasizing cost-effective quality. At the same time, trends like remote production and virtual production could either bypass Colorado or be an opportunity (e.g., could Colorado attract a virtual production volume stage?). These are strategic considerations the film office is likely weighing now.
Strategic Initiatives Going Forward: To meet these challenges, stakeholders are pursuing several strategies. One is building partnerships with established industry players. Colorado is courting major studios and streaming platforms to consider satellite offices or projects in the state. Governor Polis and economic development officials have positioned the film incentive as part of a broader creative industries push, indicating they might be open to bespoke deals if, say, a studio wanted to invest in a long-term production facility. We might see Colorado leveraging its tech industry connections to draw content companies (for example, a tech billionaire in Colorado could be encouraged to invest in a studio or fund local productions as part of an innovation campus – conversations rumored in local circles).
Another strategic focus is marketing and branding. Expect to see Colorado’s presence increase at film markets and festivals (Cannes, Sundance – regardless of location – etc.), with the Colorado Office of Film and partners actively pitching the state’s new incentives and showcasing recent success stories. The narrative is shifting from “Colorado used to have a tiny program” to “Colorado is open for business and here’s what we offer.” Local industry associations like CFVA will likely help by producing reel compilations of Colorado-shot content and facilitating location scouts for interested producers.
On the legislative front, should the current incentive prove successful, advocates will push to bolster the program further. This could mean lobbying for a higher annual cap or creating a tiered incentive (for example, a separate pot of funds for TV series, or an extra bump for productions that build long-term infrastructure in-state). The fact that the current bill sailed through with strong support suggests that, if positive results come in, lawmakers could be convinced to allocate more – especially with data in hand showing jobs created and tax revenue generated. Colorado’s Joint Budget Committee will be watching the ROI closely; Zuckerman’s 18:1 ROI figure (cpr.org), if validated, will arm supporters with a powerful argument to scale up funding.
Additionally, community and union engagement will remain a strategic asset. The industry knows that to grow sustainably, it needs broad support. Unions will continue to ensure that growth doesn’t come at the expense of worker welfare, which helps avoid the burnout issues seen in larger markets. Community outreach – like inviting local officials to visit sets, or ensuring that residents see benefits when filming happens in their area – is part of the plan to maintain a film-friendly environment. Already, film productions in Colorado make a point of engaging with city governments and local businesses (for instance, by hiring local caterers, renting local accommodations, and thanking communities with special screenings). Keeping this goodwill is strategic: it prevents the “not in my backyard” sentiments that have occasionally troubled production in other states.
In conclusion, Colorado’s film industry stands on the cusp of a promising new era. The present state is one of a resilient core industry that has persisted through lean years, now energized by improved incentives and a recognition of past shortcomings. The future likely holds a measured but real expansion – more jobs for Coloradans in film, more films that can proudly say “shot on location in Colorado,” and stronger economic returns feeding back into the state. Challenges will certainly test this progress, but with continued collaboration between government, industry professionals, unions, and educators, Colorado is charting a path to become a regional powerhouse in film production. The next few years will be critical in proving that the Centennial State can translate its undeniable assets – majestic locations, talented workforce, and supportive community – into a thriving, sustainable film industry that competes confidently on the national stage. All signs point to “Action!” in Colorado – and this time, the cameras are ready to roll for the long term.
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