Boulder Unveils Visitor Guidelines Ahead of Sundance
Seven new principles aim to guide the 50,000 guests expected during the upcoming film festival.
By Neha Kapoor ·
Boulder has installed new signage throughout the city to instruct visitors on how to behave in town and on its trails.
The signs will appear in public spaces and inside hotel rooms and Airbnb listings. The rollout occurs just before the Sundance Film Festival, which is scheduled to bring approximately 50,000 visitors to the city from January 21 to January 31.
The guidelines stem from a partnership between Visit Boulder and Leave No Trace. Leave No Trace is a national nonprofit organization based in Boulder. In October, Visit Boulder became the first tourism destination organization to receive a gold standard designation from the group. The award recognizes the bureau's collaboration with local partners and its plan for sustainable travel marketing.
The seven BoulderWise principles are printed on posters and pamphlets distributed around the city. They also appear on the Visit Boulder website. The rules cover specific actions such as carrying reusable water bottles, recycling, and using public transit. Trail etiquette is a major focus of the new guidance.
One rule states that hikers going uphill have the right of way. People hiking downhill must step aside to let others pass. Another rule requires hikers to walk at least 70 steps off the trail before using the restroom and to pack out their toilet paper. Visitors are also asked not to play music from portable speakers while hiking.
Julie McHale, the marketing manager for visitor and community impact at Visit Boulder, said the noise from portable speakers is the last thing she wants to hear while running. She described the new designation as a way to finalize work the bureau has done for some time. McHale noted that the model could serve as an example for other tourism organizations nationwide.
To earn the gold standard, Boulder demonstrated a shared vision with the city, the state, the University of Colorado, and Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks. The criteria included a transportation plan featuring hiker shuttles to locations such as Colorado Chautauqua, Hessie Trailhead, and Eldorado Canyon State Park. Visit Boulder also worked with local hotels and businesses to create a joint plan for marketing sustainable travel.
Leave No Trace was founded in Boulder 32 years ago. Dana Watts, the executive director of the nonprofit, said the phrase originated in the 1980s when the federal government began using it. The U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service adopted the slogan after an increase in recreation on public lands. Watts stated that the nonprofit’s mission is to use science-based education to help people care for the land while enjoying it.
The organization receives funding from corporate donors, including REI Co-op and Airbnb. Designations are awarded to parks, resorts, and educational programs that implement these principles through training and signage. Seven of the 64 national parks in the United States currently hold the gold standard designation. Rocky Mountain National Park is not yet on that list. Several Colorado state parks, including Roxborough, Cheyenne Mountain, and Barr Lake, have received the designation. Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks also earned its designation this fall.
Boulder regularly hosts large events like BOLDERBoulder and the Boulderthon races. The upcoming Sundance Festival presents new challenges regarding trash and trail usage. Watts said it is difficult to predict how the weather will affect trail traffic, though she noted that preparation is always necessary. The first BoulderWise principle advises visitors to bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and layers for Colorado's changing weather, and to follow all fire and smoking bans year-round.
