Op-Ed | Pueblo Star Journal
As We Count Down to Sundance, Pueblo's Spotlight Is Just Beginning
By Kennedy Pugh
As the world turns its attention to the glamour and vision of the Sundance Film Festival, those of us here in Southern Colorado have a different kind of anticipation—one rooted in hope, creativity, and a chance to reclaim something we lost.
Years ago, I watched as film professionals pulled out of Colorado. Promising studios and creatives moved operations elsewhere, disheartened by the lack of long-term vision and infrastructure. What could have been a thriving industry instead left behind quiet stages and missed opportunities. But today, that tide is turning. And with it comes a rare opportunity to restore Colorado's place as a leader in film—not just as a location, but as a center for distribution, education, cultural exchange, and economic growth.
As a performing artist and producer of the award-winning documentary Kilroy and The Boy Soldier, which explored the often hidden wounds of PTSD among our veterans, I've seen firsthand how storytelling through film has the power to heal, teach, and connect us. That project, and my broader work touring internationally and serving as an arts-based youth advocate, have reinforced a truth I carry into every creative endeavor: stories shape the soul of a community.
And nowhere is that truth more alive than in Pueblo—the "Backlot of Colorado." We aren't just another dot on the map—we are a uniquely positioned cultural and creative resource waiting to be fully tapped.
Recent local successes have proven we're not just dreaming—we're already building. Film festivals like SISFA (Southern Colorado International Short Film Festival), the creative KickAss Film Festival, and the Pueblo Film Fest have brought filmmakers, audiences, and critical attention right here to Southern Colorado. Just as exciting is the rise of youth-driven platforms like the Rising Star Film Festival, led by student Sunny Wiggins of The Arts Academy @ Pueblo County High School. This festival gives young creatives a chance to be seen, heard, and celebrated—demonstrating that Pueblo is nurturing the next generation of cinematic voices.
Few outside our region realize that Pueblo was once a cultural powerhouse, boasting over 80 theaters and auditoriums in the late 1890s and early 1900s. These venues showcased everything from opera to early motion pictures, making Pueblo—alongside Denver—a primary destination for major touring productions and film debuts in Colorado. This isn't just trivia; it's our artistic heritage waiting to be reclaimed and reimagined for a new era.
Why Pueblo? Here's why we should proudly raise our voice:
Scenic and Visual Diversity: From our historic downtown and riverwalks to industrial zones, high desert, mountain backdrops, Lake Pueblo and rural landscapes, Pueblo provides a broad spectrum of filming locations—all within minutes of each other.
Affordability and Access: Our city offers significantly lower production costs compared to urban hubs like Denver or Albuquerque, making it an ideal destination for both indie filmmakers and large-scale productions.
Extraordinary Cultural Mosaic: Pueblo is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in Colorado, with deep roots in Hispanic, Native American, African American, Slavic, Italian, Irish, and German communities. This cultural richness lives in our festivals, food, neighborhoods, music, and oral traditions—offering filmmakers authentic stories and dynamic voices.
Transportation Infrastructure: Pueblo is well connected via Pueblo Memorial Airport, proximity to Colorado Springs Airport, and major BNSF and Union Pacific rail lines, giving filmmakers efficient options for transporting equipment and personnel.
Legacy Infrastructure in Transition: Assets like PuebloPlex—a massive former military site transitioning to local control—and Watertower Place, a converted industrial hub on the Riverwalk, offer ready-made creative campuses for studios, sets, or post-production work.
Local Support and Energy: Artists, business owners, educators, and city leaders are energized around rebuilding a creative economy. That means momentum—and readiness.
Educational Pipeline: With CSU Pueblo, Pueblo Community College, and specialized institutions like the Arts Academy at Pueblo County HS, Pueblo is building a workforce for the future of film—writers, editors, designers, sound engineers, and more.
Strategic Location: Pueblo is within easy reach of Denver, Santa Fe, and other Southwest cultural corridors—but without the congestion or inflated costs.
Room to Build: Unlike already-saturated cities, Pueblo offers the space—both economic and geographic—to build state-of-the-art studios, screening rooms, and post-production facilities.
But we can't stop at being attractive—we must be competitive.
Our neighboring states—New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and Arizona—have aggressively recruited film production through robust tax incentives. The Colorado Office of Film, Television & Media has made important progress, with audits showing a 32:1 return on investment (ROI) from film production. That means for every $1 spent, Colorado communities receive $32 in economic benefit—from hiring local crew to increased spending in hospitality, services, and tourism.
Pueblo can lead the next phase by developing our own local film incentive. Much like how PEDCO has used its half-cent sales tax to attract industry, we could allocate a portion of those funds to establish a Pueblo-specific film incentive fund. The same logic applies—create jobs, bring investment, and generate community pride.
The difference? The return isn’t just measured in jobs—it’s measured in how we define ourselves. The film industry is a living lesson in the humanities. It empowers our youth. It elevates unheard voices. It teaches empathy. And it builds bridges—between neighborhoods, generations, and even nations.
This isn’t just about bringing Hollywood to Pueblo. It’s about bringing Pueblo to the world.
Let’s be bold. Let’s tell our stories. Let’s build something enduring.
The cameras are waiting. Pueblo is ready for action.