Agenda Memo

City of Boulder City Council Agenda Item Meeting Date: June 4, 2026 Agenda Title Introduction, first reading and consideration of a motion to order published by title only Ordinance 8751 amending Title 4, “Licenses and Permits,” Title 8, “Parks, Open Space, Streets, and Public Ways,” and Title 9, “Land Use Code,” B.R.C. 1981, to create a new permitting process for special festival events, create new use standards for special festival events, amend mobile food vehicle standards related to special festival events, and amend the city’s sign code to regulate signs that may be erected for the duration of a special festival event and associated review and approval processes; and setting forth related details

Staff Contact • •

Karl Guiler, Development Code Amendment Manager, Planning & Development Services Brad Mueller, Director, Planning & Development Services

Draft Motion Language Staff requests council consideration of this matter and action in the form of the following motion: Motion to introduce and order published by title only Ordinance 8751 amending Title 4, “Licenses and Permits,” Title 8, “Parks, Open Space, Streets, and Public Ways,” and Title 9, “Land Use Code,” B.R.C. 1981, to create a new permitting process for special festival events, create new use standards for special festival events, amend mobile food vehicle standards related to special festival events, and amend the city’s sign code to regulate signs that may be erected for the duration of a special festival event and associated review and approval processes; and setting forth related details.

Executive Summary Attachment A contains proposed Ordinance 8751 that would: 1. Create a new special festival event permit and associated standards and processes in Title 4 2. Add a new definition of “special festival event” to Title 9 and the use table 3. Allow special festivals events subject to new specific use standards 4. Create a minor update to the mobile food vehicle use standards relating to their operation during such events 5. Amend the sign code to regulate signs that may be erected for the duration of special festivals events More detailed descriptions of these changes are found in the Proposed Code Change section within this memorandum and within Attachment B (an annotated version of the code changes). These changes are proposed in anticipation of the Sundance Film Festival scheduled to operate in the city in January 2027 and to address events of this scale and nature in the future. Staff’s goal has been to update the Boulder Revised Code well in advance of the Sundance Film Festival so that there is ample time for permit processing, that any potential impacts from such a festival can be adequately addressed before the festival, and to ensure the festival and any future festivals of similar nature operate in compliance with all applicable city policies and regulations.

Council Action Options Option

Outcome

Approve motion language as drafted

If the motion is approved, the ordinance would be read on first reading and ordered to be published by title only. A second reading for a public hearing and consideration of adoption of the ordinance would be scheduled.

Define and adopt Council would need to define any modifications or amendments to a modified the draft motion and/or ordinance language. This may require staff motion to bring back an amended version of the ordinance for consideration at a later date. Deny the motion or take no action

If this motion is denied or no action is taken, the ordinance would not be scheduled for a second reading and no amendments would be made to Titles 4, 9, and 10 related to special festival events. This would present regulatory and process complications in advance of the Sundance Film Festival.

Refer back to staff

If council refers this item back to staff for additional work, the ordinance would not be adopted at this time, and a revised schedule for addressing special festival events would have to be determined. This would present regulatory and process complications in advance of the Sundance Film Festival.

Alignment with City Plans and City Council History Sustainability, Equity and Resilience (SER) Framework and Citywide Strategic Plan Alignment SER Framework Goal Area •

Safe

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Responsibly Governed Economically Vital

Citywide Strategic Plan Strategy #1. Focus community safety efforts on reducing community harm at critical locations known for high incident rates or significant vulnerabilities. Strategy #12. Implement organizational and financial best practices to continuously improve asset management, customer experience, and project and program performance. Strategy #15. Streamline processes for housing, parking, infrastructure, land use, and events that tie directly to priority community outcomes. Staff Notes The city has entered into a contractual agreement with the Sundance Institute to host the Sundance Film Festival for the next 10 years. An event of this scale has not previously occurred in Boulder. It will bring with it many economic and cultural benefits to the community but also, many visitors to and activities to Boulder. Therefore, the safety of residents and visitors and efficient management of the festival and future festivals in coming years is also critically important. New regulations are proposed to establish a permitting process for special festival events that is designed to balance the benefits of such festivals with avoiding any negative impacts to the public safety and welfare. A streamlined process of a singular special festival event permit is proposed to enable an efficient and effective one-stop shop review of all the details of the festival to balance these efforts consistent with the goals within the citywide strategic plan.

Alignment with Additional City Plans The ordinance will implement the following applicable policies from the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan. In summary, the code changes are an example of important and effective governmental cooperation, as the city has been working with the state on securing the Sundance Film Festival in Boulder, as well as enhancing the role of downtown Boulder as a destination, and balancing the city’s values on ensuring compatible operations of the festival with the strong economic and arts and cultural aspects that the festival and future festivals will contribute to the city. Intergovernmental and Growth Management Policy 1.01 Regional & Statewide Cooperation Many of the problems and opportunities faced by Boulder and other jurisdictions, particularly providing affordable housing, addressing the jobs-housing imbalance, creating a healthy economy, improving regional transportation, protecting the environment, managing open space, delivering human services and managing growth can only be dealt with effectively through regional or statewide cooperation and solutions. Therefore, the city and county will actively pursue cooperative planning opportunities, intergovernmental agreements, broader information exchange and communication, collaborative initiatives and closer cooperation with each other and with other entities in the region and state. This may include other cities, counties, unincorporated communities, the University of Colorado, the school districts, regional organizations and other policymaking bodies. These entities will be encouraged to identify and address issues of shared concern for which a multi-jurisdictional perspective can best achieve mutually beneficial solutions. Built Environment Policy 2.20 Role of the Central Area Boulder’s Central Area will continue as the regional service center of the Boulder Valley for office, retail, financial, governmental, civic, cultural and university activities. As such, it will remain the primary activity center and focal point of the Boulder Valley. The Central Area includes distinct, interrelated centers such as the Downtown Business District, Civic Area, University Hill and Boulder Valley Regional Center. It also includes the University of Colorado Main Campus and Canyon Boulevard Cultural Corridor. A variety of land uses surround the centers and complete streets and multimodal transportation alternatives provide direct connections between them. The Central Broadway Corridor Design Framework (“Framework”) focuses on the five key activity centers along the central stretch of Broadway (University Hill/CU, the Civic Area, Downtown, the Alpine-Balsam site and Boulder County’s Broadway and Iris site). With a focus on physical form and character, systems, community experiences and services and some housing, the Framework identifies opportunities to strengthen existing assets and

opportunities to fill gaps and address challenges along the corridor and in the centers. Built Environment Policy 2.31 Historic Preservation / Conservation Tools As guided by the Plan for Boulder’s Historic Preservation Program, the city will develop a variety of tools that address preservation and conservation objectives within the community. Specific tools that address historic preservation and conservation objectives will be matched to the unique needs of specific areas. Preservation tools may include financial and other incentives for owners of designated landmark properties and properties located in designated districts. Conservation districts, easements and other tools may be applied in areas that do not qualify as local historic districts but contain features that contribute to the quality of the neighborhood or community. These could include historic resources that have lost integrity, neighborhoods with significant character but that are not historically significant, and scattered sites that share a common historic or architectural theme. Built Environment Policy 2.39 Outdoor Lighting/Light Pollution The city and county will encourage the efficient use of outdoor lighting to reduce light pollution and conserve energy while providing for public safety. The city will seek to provide a nighttime environment that includes the ability to view the stars against a dark sky so that people can see the Milky Way Galaxy from residential and other appropriate viewing areas. Measures such as using more energy-efficient lights, ensuring that the level of outdoor lighting is appropriate to the application, minimizing glare and using shielding techniques to direct light downward will be required. Economic Policy 5.04 Vital & Productive Retail Base The city recognizes the importance of its retail base, including restaurants, and maintaining affordable retail space. The city will develop and implement a retail strategy that takes into account emerging trends, such as shifting demographics and changing consumer behavior, addresses the market opportunities and shopping needs of the community, ensures an appropriate mix of retail and identifies opportunities to improve the retail base and the city’s sales tax revenues. Economic Policy 5.09 Role of Tourism in the Economy The city recognizes the importance of tourism (e.g., heritage, cultural, sports and open space) to the Boulder economy and will continue to work with various partners, including the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau, to study the existing and future role of different types of tourism in the community, track the benefits and impact of tourism on the economy and invest in opportunities to support and enhance the sector.

Economic Policy 5.10 Role of Arts, Cultural, Historic & Parks & Recreation Amenities The city and county recognize arts and culture, historic, and parks and recreation amenities as important contributors to the city’s economic vitality and quality of life. The city and county will work to support and, as appropriate, enhance the resiliency, sustainability and innovation of arts, cultural, historic, and parks and recreation amenities so they continue to contribute to the economic vitality of the community, provide unique offerings and foster meaningful connections to Boulder among its residents, workforce and visitors. Community Well Being and Safety Policy 8.13 Support for Community Facilities The city and county recognize the importance of educational, health, cultural and non-profit community agencies that provide vital services to the residents of the Boulder Valley and will work collaboratively with these agencies to reasonably accommodate their facility needs and consider location based on transportation accessibility or other needs. Community Well Being and Safety Policy 8.21 Arts & Cultural Facilities The city and county recognize the ability of cultural facilities and activity to positively contribute to community members’ well-being, sense of community and cultural understanding. The city and county will encourage the provision of venues and facilities for a wide range of arts and cultural expression that are available and affordable to everyone. The city supports neighborhood serving arts and cultural amenities, including public sculptures, murals, plazas, studio space and community gathering spaces. Community Well Being and Safety Policy 8.22 The Arts & Community Culture The city and county recognize and support the arts and community members’ easy access to cultural experiences. Arts and culture advance civic dialogue, awareness and participation, contribute to people’s authentic expression of diversity and promote community inclusion. The city and county will encourage a rich mix of cultural offerings by supporting cultural organizations, artists, the expression of culture and creativity in the public realm and Boulder’s cultural destinations.

City Council History This item is not a formal work program priority, but is nonetheless, an important city council and community priority in preparation for the Sundance Film Festival in 2027. City Council has already adopted ordinances in 2026 pertaining to the upcoming event (e.g., Festival Lodging Rental License).

Planning Board Recommendation Ordinances changing the Land Use Code require Planning Board recommendation to City Council. On May 5, 2026, Planning Board reviewed Ordinance 8751 and unanimously (7-0) recommended approval of the ordinance. All board members supported the ordinance, although some concerns were raised. One board member questioned the proposed approach of adding special festival events as a new land use versus considering it under existing land uses. Another expressed concern about allowing special event festival signage up for 20 days and felt it should be 14 days. Board members agreed that rather than suggesting changes now, it may be best to see how the festival operates and if there are problems, refinements to the code could be done at a later time. One board member felt that future amendments may be necessary to protect some residential areas or mixed-use zones from impacts of the festival or, conversely, to allow in other residential locations like churches. One board member commented about the proposed definition of special festival event and felt that a mid-tier threshold of less than 15,000 attendees should be considered for smaller festivals that may occur on public and private property. Following deliberation, the board made the following motions: Planning Board recommends that City Council adopt an ordinance amending Title 9, “Land Use Code,” to create new use standards for special festival events, amend mobile food vehicle standards related to organized events, and amend the city’s sign code to regulate signs that may be erected for the duration of a special festival event and associated review and approval processes, and setting forth related details. (Motion by M. McIntyre, seconded by M. Roberts, passed 7-0) Planning Board also recommends that staff consider how to broaden the Special Festival Event code changes to embrace events that are smaller but otherwise similar to Sundance, including existing city festivals such as the Boulder International Film Festival and Roots Music Project. (Motion by K. Nordback, seconded by M. Roberts, passed 7-0)

In response to the board’s latter motion, staff intends to meet with the city’s Events Senior Program Manager, who coordinates with these organizations, to learn how these types of festivals fit into the existing Special Events or the new definition for Special Festival Events and determine if future updates may be necessary.

Analysis Background The Sundance Film Festival will be held in Boulder in January 2027 and at least for the next nine years thereafter. This is the result of significant collaboration between the city, state, and Sundance Institute to secure Boulder as the host of the event. As the city has never hosted a festival of this scale, current regulations are not calibrated to such events and are proposed to be updated to accommodate such festivals and ensure that the public, health, and safety is maintained. The city currently permits festivals such as the Boulder Creek Festival and the Bolder Boulder. These events are permitted by the City’s Special Events Policy. Special Events that occur on the Pearl Street Mall are regulated in Title 4, “Licenses and Permits,” B.R.C. 1981, and all other special events in the City are only approved within the public rights-of-way and on public property. Festivals like the Sundance Film Festival do not meet this existing Special Event definition as they will have significantly larger attendance, a longer duration, and will be located within a variety of venues on private property as well as the public right-of-way and on public property. Therefore, staff is in the process of updating Title 4 to create a new permitting process and standards for festivals of this scale, as well as Title 8, “Parks, Open Space, and Public Ways,” B.R.C. 1981, relative to activities occurring on public land and private property. The following definition for this use is proposed and would be added to Title 4: Special Festival Event means an organized event that can occur on public or private property or on both that 1) involves use of streets, sidewalks, parks, or other city property in a way that does not comply with normal or usual traffic, pedestrian, park, or similar regulations or controls; 2) is held over multiple consecutive days; and 3) involves a number of anticipated spectators or number of attendees that exceed 15,000 people. A special festival event often involves a contractual relationship with the city and provides extraordinary economic benefit to the community. The “Special Festival Event” term has already been used in other recently adopted ordinances by City Council relating to the upcoming festivals, including changes to allow more short-term rentals during the duration of the event (see this website for more information: Festival Lodging Rental License). In preparation for the Sundance Film Festival and to position the city to be able to host other such events, staff has reviewed the Boulder Revised Code for updates that would first and foremost protect the public health, safety, and welfare while also creating reasonable and comprehensive requirements so that such large festivals can operate efficiently and legally.

Staff proposes to amend Title 4, “Licenses and Permits,” Title 8, “Parks, Open Space, Streets, and Public Ways,” and Title 9, “Land Use Code,” B.R.C. 1981, to create a new permitting process for special festival events, to create a special festival event use as a new use in the land use code subject to specific use standards. Further, minor updates to the mobile food vehicle standards are proposed to permit mobile food vehicles as part of special festival events. As with many festivals, signage is also anticipated to be erected for the duration of the event allowing festival organizers, vendors and sponsors to identify themselves and convey messages and to create a unique festival atmosphere. Signage erected during events, such as banners, wall signs, awnings, or projected images, is common during events like the Bolder Boulder or the Boulder Creek Festival, but as stated above, those events are governed by Title 4 and Title 8, relative to public property. The city’s sign regulations have comprehensive requirements for signs permanently installed on private property. Therefore, the current sign regulations are proposed to be amended to add new standards for signs on private property that are part of a special festival event. These proposed changes are found within draft Ordinance 8751 within Attachment A and are summarized as follows.

Summary of Proposed Changes in Ordinance 8751 •

Establishes a new Chapter 4-12, “Special Festival Event Permits” o Defines the term Special Festival Event to include large festivals that occur over multiple days on either public or private property or both. o Applicants for a Special Festival Event Permit must submit their application between one year and ninety days in advance of the festival. o The application must include ▪ A list of all vendors and sponsors of the event ▪ A list of all properties on which festival activities will occur ▪ A safety and security plan ▪ A comprehensive sign plan, that includes any signs used by the festival sponsors and vendors, as well as the festival organizer ▪ Anticipated street closures or public right of way encroachments ▪ Any applicable fees o The Permit will establish a “special festival event boundary” within which festival activities may occur. o Applicants, vendors, or sponsors will still be required to obtain right of way permits for the use of public property and comply will all land use standards in the code. o Establishes criteria for choosing among conflicting applications.

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o The City Manager is authorized to issue rules as necessary for the implementation of the chapter. Makes minor changes to Sections 4-18-2 & 4-18-3 relating to the use of public property for retail related activity and banners to allow for such use in connection with a special festival event permit. Makes changes to various sections in Title 8 (Sections & 8-6-11) relating to signs on public property and organized events, ensuring that processes involved in permitting the special festival event are consistent with these sections. Modifies Chapter 9-6, “Use Standards” o Adds a new “special festival event” use to the use table, Table 6-1, as an allowable use subject to specific use standards (described below) and would be permitted in largely the same zoning districts as temporary events, differing in these aspects. The use: ▪ would not be permitted in city’s Agricultural (A) zone, and ▪ would be further limited to an area identified in the specific special event boundary map that must be approved as part of a special festival event permit. A definition for special festival event referencing a special festival event permitted pursuant to Title 4 will be added to Title 9. o Amends the existing mobile food vehicle use standards in Chapter 9-6 to include “special festival events” within the scope of the existing section on “organized events,” which currently allows food trucks only at special events. o Creates new specific use standards in Section 9-6-5, as follows, and renumbers subsequent sections accordingly: ▪ Allows the use through review of a special festival event permit per a new Title 4 permitting code section. ▪ Requires festivals to be temporary, no more than 14 days plus additional days for set up and take down (unless approved otherwise by the city manager). ▪ May not result in unsafe conditions or unacceptable levels of congestion or result in damage to private property or any city infrastructure. ▪ Lot or parcels must be returned substantially to their original condition after the festival. ▪ May only be conducted by an owner or lessee of property or with an owner or lessee’s permission. ▪ Clarifies that any property with a previous land use review (e.g., Site Review, Use Review) does not trigger an amendment or

modification and, if applicable, does not qualify as an expansion of a nonconforming use. o Updates the existing temporary event use standards to create a city manager rule that allows the city, if necessary, to limit the number of permits issued for temporary events during a special festival event to avoid any undue congestion and uphold the public health, safety, and welfare. •

Modifies Chapter 9-9, “Development Standards,” o Amends existing sign code to add standards for signs erected for the duration of a special festival event. o Allows special festival event signage to be reviewed in a comprehensive sign plan submitted with a special festival event permit reviewed according to Title 4, Licenses and Permits. o Creates new standards specific to these special festival event related signs, as follows: ▪ Establishes basic setback, area, and height requirements so that signs do not impede pedestrians or vehicles, or excessively cover buildings. ▪ Signs may only be erected by applicants, sponsors, or vendors pursuant to a special event permit. ▪ Avoids damage to any designated historic buildings or buildings in historic districts. ▪ Specifies the time periods signs may be erected and when they must be removed. ▪ Requires compliance with city’s outdoor lighting ordinance (Section 9-9-16) and updates the existing outdoor lighting ordinance variance criteria to add ‘special festival events’ as an organized event, which already allows flexibility for associated signs. ▪ Applies minimum design and construction standards to ensure safe installation. o Recognizes that the nature of special festival event related signs reduces the concerns associated with signs that are erected on a permanent basis and therefore exempts signs erected during a special festival event from certain standards and prohibitions. Some examples are projected images, signs erected higher than 25 feet, etc., which could pose aesthetic concerns if existing on a more permanent basis.

Considerations Staff finds that the proposed ordinance implements the adopted policies of the comprehensive plan. The following analysis is provided to demonstrate how the project objective is met through the proposed ordinance. Attachment A contains Ordinance 8751 and Attachment B includes footnotes that describe the rationale of the proposed changes. What is the reason for the ordinance and what public purpose will be served? The Sundance Film Festival will be held in the city of Boulder in January 2027. As the city has never hosted a festival of this scale and scope, current regulations are not calibrated to such events and are proposed to be updated to accommodate the festival and ensure that public health and safety is maintained. An ordinance is proposed to permit the event and enable a unique festival to operate in the city offering a substantial economic and cultural benefit to the community and region. How is the ordinance consistent with the purpose of the zoning districts or code chapters being amended? The proposed ordinance is consistent with zoning districts by introducing a newly defined land use in the use table and establishing new standards intended to preserve the public, health, and safety and the efficient operation of the festival. The festival will largely be limited to areas around downtown Boulder and the university and some publicly zoned properties where most of the venues exist; however, code language will further limit any special festival events to a specific festival boundary map approved each year. More specifically, the proposed ordinance would add a new “special festival event” use to the use table, Table 6-1, as an allowable use subject to specific use standards (described below) and would be permitted in largely the same zoning districts as temporary events, which are infrequent outdoor events (typically retail sales) that occur in parking lots in the downtown, business, mixed-use, and industrial zones, but differs in these aspects. The use would: •

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Not be permitted in city’s Agricultural (A) zone. Agricultural land use in the Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan (BVCP) is described as follows: “An AG land use designation identifies land in the Service Area that is planned to remain in agricultural use. Given the urban nature of Boulder, the designation will rarely be used. Uses that are auxiliary to agriculture, such as a home, a barn and outbuildings and the incidental sales of farm or horticultural products are expected on land with this designation.” Special festival events would be inconsistent with this land use, and Be more specifically limited to an area identified in the specific special event boundary map that must be approved as part of a special festival event permit.

Are there consequences in not passing this ordinance? If this ordinance is not passed, the Sundance Film Festival may not be able to operate in the way the Sundance Institute and city envision. It will be more efficient and predictable for staff and applicants to have established procedures and approval processes. Given the Sundance Film Festival is scheduled for January 2027, any delays could have consequences for the festival and the city, which have committed significant resources to securing the festival and effectuating agreements for the festival to operate. The proposed amendments to the land use code seek to ensure relative compatibility and minimal impact to buildings, trees, infrastructure, city resources and private property. What adverse effects may result with the adoption of this ordinance? Staff finds that adoption of the ordinance is integral to accommodating and managing large festivals in the city while mitigating potential impacts as discussed above. Adoption of the ordinance will create a new efficient permit process for this large type of festival and make it clear that the festival activities are an allowable use in the city. Allowing festivals such as the Sundance Film Festival is consistent with city policies on supporting the arts and growing the economy (see analysis on compliance with Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan policies within this memorandum). A festival of this scale has not occurred in Boulder. The proposed ordinance seeks to mitigate anticipated impacts. As with any ordinance, the city will monitor the overall success of the festival and like festivals in the future and determine if future code updates are necessary to address any unforeseen impacts. What factors are influencing the timing of the proposed ordinance? Why? In discussions with Park City, UT, where the Sundance Film Festival has been held for decades, it was common that permits and applications are submitted for review well in advance of the festival (as early as six months) to allow the city, organizer, and sponsors adequate time to collaborate on the conditions and details of the festival and help ensure an efficient operation of the festival. This includes, but is not limited to, proposed venue locations, festival schedule and duration, street closures, temporary buildings, queuing considerations, signage, transportation, and security. Staff’s goal has been to update the Boulder Revised Code well in advance of the Sundance Film Festival so that there is ample time for permit processing, and to ensure that any potential impacts from such a festival can be adequately addressed before the festival.

How does the ordinance compare to practices in other cities? As Park City is the closest analog for the Sundance Film Festival, staff has met with Park City officials to understand how their rules for and management (from a city perspective) of such a festival. These meetings have informed the content of the proposed ordinance and creation of processes to prepare for the festival. Park City has required a “master festival license” that includes all the particulars of the festival, including but not limited to road closures, security, plans for venue locations, and sign installation etc. and from a zoning perspective, has few specific rules and regulations for such a temporary event. In general, the approach has been focused on upholding public health, safety, and welfare during the event. The proposed ordinance strikes a balance of upholding the public health, safety, and welfare with also outlining specific standards that can be applied to the Sundance Film Festival and future festivals of the same scale. It avoids the same level of detail that apply to other regulated aspects, such as those applied to permanent signs, as the signs that are installed are temporary and consistent with the goals of creating a unique festival atmosphere.

Equity Analysis Staff is proposing a new special festival event permit along with new land use code standards on Special Festival Events, and associated signs, outdoor lighting, and mobile food vehicles. The purpose of the code changes is primarily to protect the public health, safety, and welfare by establishing reasonable limits for the festival, associated signs, and more readily allow mobile food vehicles that may play a role in the festival. Staff is currently conducting a racial equity analysis of this project and intends to continue outreach to small businesses in the community and mobile food vehicle vendors for input. Feedback from these communities will be conveyed to council in the second reading memorandum. Staff has already discussed the proposed changes with the Boulder Chamber of Commerce (including representation from the Latino Chamber) and held a virtual open house to discuss and hear feedback on the proposed ordinance. While the festival is anticipated to cause some disruption vis-a-vis normal levels of activity in Boulder (e.g., traffic flow, number of visitors, signage) etc., negative impacts are intended to be minimized. Residents and commercial establishments nearest to the venue, mainly around downtown, will be the most impacted. Businesses and the city, in general, are expected to benefit from the increased retail sales tax and people visiting the city and festival. The festival will also be a boost for the arts community. The festival is also expected to be an opportunity to mobile food vehicle vendors on a yearly basis.

Fiscal Note Ordinance 8751 updates the City’s Special Event Permit regulations and will include the introduction or modification of permit-related fees. These fees are intended to support cost recovery associated with the review, processing, administration, and oversight of special event applications and related City services. The fiscal impact of the ordinance cannot be meaningfully determined at this time because revenue will depend on the number and type of permit applications submitted annually. As the City does not have a reliable basis to estimate future application volume, any projected revenue associated with the updated fee structure is currently indeterminate.

Climate, Resilience, and Sustainability Considerations As special festival events are infrequent in Boulder and would each be of limited duration, staff has not anticipated any climate, resilience, or sustainability impacts from allowing special festivals in the city. Climate Initiatives and Fire Rescue will routinely need to monitor seasonal events to understand if there is potential impact from snow, high winds, or wildfire during the duration of the Sundance Film Festival and if any precautions will be necessary.

Community Engagement Community engagement is being conducted on an inform level of engagement given the limited number, geography, and duration of special festival events. A virtual open house open to the broader community was held on May 15. Notice of the open house was sent out in the April Planning and Development Services newsletter. Notice of the ordinance has also been posted in the May newsletter. Staff also presented the proposed changes to the Boulder Chamber of Commerce and shared the proposed changes with the Sundance Institute as the process and regulation changes will inform the festival planning anticipated for the second half of 2026. At the time of this memorandum, staff has not received any concerns or objections to the proposed ordinance.

Workplan Considerations This item is included in the Planning & Development Services workplan for 2026.

Next Steps for City Council The second reading and public hearing for Ordinance 8751 is scheduled for June 18, 2026.

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Attachments A. Proposed Ordinance 8751 B. Annotated Code Changes