When Sundance makes its new home in Boulder in 2027, it will bring star-studded movie premieres and exclusive film screenings to town. But Colorado has long played a starring role on the silver screen.
From heartwarming hometowns to eerie sci-fi futures and chaotic holiday scenes, destinations across the state have set the stage for countless films and TV shows. Here’s a look at some of Colorado’s most iconic filming locations, proving the Centennial State has always been ready for its close-up.
“Catch and Release”
The production: This 2006 rom-com stars Jennifer Garner, who is grappling with the untimely death of her fiance.
The landmarks: Several local landmarks turn up in this movie, which was set in Boulder. They include the Pearl Street Mall; the former Daily Camera building, which is now Pearl West, home to restaurants, shops and office space; the former Silver Saddle Motel site; and The Sink, the famous pizza restaurant on the Hill that former President Barack Obama once visited. Also, one of the movie’s characters, Sam, worked at Celestial Seasonings selecting poems for the tea boxes.
Local reference: “What is it about this town? Everyone is so happy,” says Gray, Garner’s character, while walking along the Pearl Street Mall.
Fun fact: The sister of Susannah Grant, the writer and director of the movie, lives in Boulder, which is why the city was selected as the setting for “Catch and Release,” according to the Boulder Film Commission.
“National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”
The production: This 1989 holiday classic stars Chevy Chase as Clark Griswold, a well-meaning dad determined to orchestrate the perfect Christmas for his family. But chaos unfolds at every turn, from a squirrel hiding in the Christmas tree to a blinding light display that causes a neighborhood power surge, and even an unexpected run-in with the SWAT team.
The landmarks: Although the Griswolds are based in suburban Chicago, some of the film’s most outrageous moments were actually shot in Breckenridge. The wild sledding scene—where Clark rockets down a mountain on his greased-up saucer—was filmed on Peak 8 at Breckenridge Ski Resort. As his turbo-charged sled skids off the snow and onto pavement and starts to spark, he’s flying across Summit Boulevard in Frisco. The family’s tree-cutting scene, which was more haphazard than Hallmark, took place at the Breckenridge Golf Course, which also doubles as the landing site for the family station wagon after it’s dislodged from under a logging truck and launched off the road.
Fun fact: A cover set was built on the gym floor of Summit High School in Frisco (now Summit Middle School) to film the scene where Clark Griswold watches old home movies. A massive snowstorm hit during filming, dumping 87 inches in just five days, forcing the crew indoors and making the set a necessary backup.
“Mork and Mindy”
The production: Robin Williams plays Mork, an extraterrestrial who comes to Earth from a planet called Ork. His co-star, Mindy, was his human roommate, wife and the mother of his child. The television show ran from 1978 to 1982.
The landmarks: The Queen Anne-style home where the movie takes place is located at 1619 Pine Street in Boulder, just a few blocks from the Pearl Street Mall. Fans of the show often stop by and post selfies on Facebook, with the caption “Nanu-Nanu,” which is alien-speak for “hello” and a nod to the show. (It’s a private residence, so be respectful and keep your distance if you decide to do the same.)
Local reference: Several references to Boulder are made throughout the 90 episodes of the show, as Mork is sent to Earth to study human behavior and he picks up on the quirks of Boulderites. There are also references to Mindy going to the University of Colorado.
Fun fact: After Williams’ death in 2014, fans flocked to the Mork and Mindy house to grieve. Among them was Governor Jared Polis, who tweeted “Paying my respect to #mork, most famous fictional #boulder resident. Thank you for making us laugh, Robin Williams.”
“Sleeper”
The production: In this 1973 Woody Allen sci-fi comedy, the future takes place in Boulder, where the owner of a health food store is cryogenically frozen and defrosted 200 years later.
The landmarks: The National Center for Atmospheric Research campus on Table Mesa was used in a couple of the movie’s scenes. Both were exterior shots, and you’ll see NCAR’s circular drive, main entrance and north tower. Also, a dozen NCAR employees were cast as extras.
Local reference: What does a home in 2173 look like? The producers thought the unusual-looking home at 3752 Wonderland Hill Avenue, which was built by architect Charles Haertling, was a good example. Oh, and in the spirit of futurism, life seems to have imitated art: Frozen Dead Guy Days, the longtime Nederland festival that recently relocated to Estes Park, celebrates Grandpa Bredo Morstol, who is cryogenically frozen.
Fun fact: The production was casting for extras on the NCAR campus. One scientist was turned down after being told that “hairy faces were not part of Woody Allen’s vision of the future,” according to NCAR.
Bonus: Allen wasn’t the only film director courting NCAR’s Mesa Lab. The producers of “Colossus: The Forbin Project,” which was about two evil supercomputers battling one another, also considered the lab when they were scouting locations.
“The Shining” (mini-series)
The production: This three-part television mini-series, which first aired in 1997, was based on Stephen King’s novel “The Shining.”
A stay at The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park inspired King to write “The Shining,” which was adapted into a film in 1980 and directed by Stanley Kubrick. The 1980 movie was filmed at hotels in Mt. Hood, Oregon, and at a hotel in Yosemite National Park—not The Stanley. However, for the 1997 television mini-series, the Stanley was the primary shooting location.
The landmarks: The Stanley in Estes Park is a historic hotel. You can book a room and spend the night or, if you’re just doing a day trip, drop in for a drink or a ghost tour.
Local reference: The plot of “The Shining” involves a struggling writer who takes a job as the winter caretaker of the isolated “Overlook Hotel,” which is nestled in the Rockies. King and his wife lived in Boulder for a short time and stayed at the Stanley as it was closing down for the season. They were the only guests in the hotel and King woke up to a nightmare, which became the basis of “The Shining.”
Fun fact: Want to stay in the same room as Stephen King? Request room 217. But know this: It books up quickly, especially around Halloween.
“The Glenn Miller Story”
The production: This 1954 biographical movie tells the life story of Glenn Miller, a Big Band leader in the swing era. Miller’s aircraft disappeared in bad weather, most likely over the English Channel, while he was traveling to entertain U.S. troops stationed in France during World War II.
The landmarks: The University of Colorado Boulder campus features prominently in the movie. Miller attended CU Boulder in 1923 to pursue his musical career, according to the university. Later, he worked as a freelance trombonist and arranger, touring with various bands.
Local reference: Because of Miller’s ties to Colorado, several scenes were shot around the state. Jimmy Stewart (who played Glenn Miller) and June Allyson (who played Miller’s wife, Helen Burger Miller) shot a famous scene at Varsity Lake on the CU Boulder campus. Even though the scene was filmed at CU, a technical problem forced the filmmakers to recreate the bridge in California.
Fun fact: CU maintains a Glenn Miller archive with memorabilia and 1,400 reel-to-reel tapes that contain hundreds of hours of live radio programs, featuring famous musicians from the Big Band era.
5 More Movies With Colorado Cameos
- “Die Hard 2: Die Harder” (1990) stars Bruce Willis reprising his role as John McClane, with scenes set at the now-closed Stapleton International Airport and featuring the historic Highlandlake Church in Mead, Colorado.
- The figure-skating comedy “Blades of Glory” (2007), starring Will Ferrell and Jon Heder, featured Ball Arena (formerly Pepsi Center) as the setting for some of the film’s over-the-top ice competitions.
- Fans of “The Last Crusade” can slumber at the Indiana Jones Bed & Breakfast in Antonito near the border with New Mexico. The historic Victorian home was featured as Indiana Jones’ boyhood home in the 1989 film directed by Steven Spielberg.
- Scenes from “Dumb and Dumber” (1994) were filmed across Colorado, including Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, a Fort Morgan truck stop and the The Stanley Hotel, which was recast in the movie as the posh “Danbury Hotel.”
- Denverites might recognize the Greek Amphitheater at Civic Center Park from the political thriller “In the Line of Fire,” (1993) where Clint Eastwood plays a secret service agent.
Mark Your Calendar: 2026 Colorado Film Festivals
- Mountainfilm: May 21-25, 2026
- Boulder Environmental / Nature / Outdoors Film Festival: July 16-19, 2026
- Boulder Jewish Film Festival: October 25-November 1, 2026
- Telluride Film Festival: Labor Day weekend 2026
- Telluride Horror Show: October 16-18, 2026
- Vail Film Festival: December 3-6, 2026
Learn more about the Boulder County Film Commission by visiting bouldercountyfilmcommission.com or by calling 303-938-2061.
