Honoring Creative Leadership in Colorado: Gov. Polis Announces 2025 Governor’s Creative Leadership Awards

To be presented at the Colorado Creative Industries Summit in Grand Junction, May 2

DENVER — Today, the Polis Administration and the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced the 2025 recipients of the Governor’s Creative Leadership Aw

Here’s What Business, Community and Education Leaders are Saying about Boulder, Colorado’s Selection as the Host of the Sundance Film Festival Starting in 2027

BOULDER — Today, the Sundance Institute announced Boulder, Colorado as the new host of the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027. Here is what business, community and education leaders are saying about the news:

Boulder, Colorado Named New Host of Sundance Film Festival Beginning in 2027

Press conference to be held at 2 p.m. today in downtown Boulder

BOULDER — Today, the Sundance Institute named Boulder, Colorado as the new host of the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027. To celebrate the announcement, a press conference will be held at 2 p.m. today, March 27, in front of the Boulder Theater on the southwest corner of 14th and Spruce in downtown Boulder, Colorado. State officials, including Gov. Polis, Sundance Institute representatives, and Visit Boulder are all expected to speak.

Colorado Teen Rize Simmons Wins State Poetry Out Loud Competition for the Second Year in a Row

Once again, headed to the National Finals to represent Colorado in Washington, DC

DENVER — Gov. Polis, Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), and Empowered are pleased to announce that Rize Simmons of Windsor High School in Weld County has been named the 2025 Colorado Poetry Out Loud State Champion.

Finding Compassion in Poetry: Q&A with the Poet Laureate of Colorado, Andrea Gibson

Every two to four years, the Governor chooses the Poet Laureate to promote an appreciation of poetry in the state and honor outstanding Colorado poets. This position, created in partnership with the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of OEDIT and Colorado Humanities, is an advocate for poetry, literacy, and literature who participates in public readings and other events statewide. In September 2023, Andrea Gibson was announced as the chosen Poet Laureate for 2023-2025.

Boulder, Colorado Selected as Finalist in Bid to Host Sundance Film Festival beginning in 2027

BOULDER — Today, the Sundance Institute selected Boulder, Colorado as a finalist to host the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027. If selected, hosting the Festival in Colorado will create new jobs, attract out-of-state visitors, and boost winter tourism that will support small businesses in Boulder and surrounding areas while elevating Colorado’s creative industries.

Realizing more to creative spaces than meets the eye: Colorado's creative landscape transforms with $98 Million from the Community Revitalization Grant

Families walking from their neighboring elementary school to an outdoor concert at Strawberry Park Amphitheater in Steamboat Springs.

Local and emerging artists in the newly designated Auroral Cultural Arts District (ACAD) reconvene at their nearby arts facility to develop their art.

Communities in Ignacio, home to the Southern Ute people, gather at the Dancing Spirit community arts center, serving a need for art education, creative outlets for the community, and creating destinations to attract visitors.