Several big budget movies and TV shows are currently filming in Colorado or will be soon

Colorado is handing out millions of dollars in rebates for in-state film productions in one of the largest increases in its film production history amid intense and continued competition in neighboring states such as New Mexico and Utah.

A narrative feature on the tracks of Denver’s LGBTQ club, which was announced in June, has been approved for $800,000 by the state’s Economic Development Commission, according to a statement released today by the Colorado Office. of Film, Television and Media.

This is in addition to a number of film and television projects already underway in Colorado, such as the thriller “Elevation”. The latter is “the biggest production to come to Colorado since (Quentin Tarantino’s 2015 film) ‘The Hateful Eight,'” Colorado Film Commissioner Donald Zuckerman wrote in an email to the Denver Post.

“Elevation,” which will star Anthony Mackie, Morena Baccarin and Maddie Hasson, revolves around Golden and Boulder with George Nolfi directing and Brad Fuller serving as lead producer, Zuckerman said. It’s the biggest feature to come to Colorado in eight years, and it’ll spend about $18 million and employ nearly 300 cast and crew, according to the Denver Business Journal.

The producers of the historically-inspired feature film “Making Tracks” were approved after saying they planned to spend nearly $4.5 million locally and hire 100 local cast and crew members. Production is expected to begin in and around Denver in April 2023 and continue through July 2023.

Last month, Zuckerman and his office approved a Colorado cinema incentive for the reality TV show “Rock the Block,” an HGTV home improvement competition series. It is currently the network’s November 1 contest reality show; the fourth season will be filmed in Burgdorf, Zuckerman said. It was approved for a film incentive of $697,000 by the Economic Development Commission, in light of its local spending of $3.5 million, with 46 local crew members. Production is expected to begin this fall and continue through the end of this month.

Additionally, the premiere of the new History Channel series “Pawn Stars Do America,” titled “Denver Gold Rush,” was filmed in Mile High City in July and premiered as the show’s main episode on November 9. (this is a travel show and is not based here permanently).

Along with ongoing reality series and various TV and online commercials, Colorado’s renewed activity is suddenly helping it catch up to neighboring states. The must-see state of New Mexico offers 25-30%, depending on production, and Utah offers up to 25%. Colorado’s program launched in 2012 with up to 20%, but some productions have negotiated more, such as the 25% “Elevation” discount.

Colorado, whose movie refund muscle has been criticized as both undersized and mishandled by past state legislatures, is also anticipating “High Science,” a cannabis reality TV series that comes with the pedigree of “Pawn Stars” and “Duck Dynasty” producers. It was approved in October for a $221,000 film incentive on an estimated $1.1 million outlay locally, with 26 local cast and crew members. Production has already started and will continue until February 2023.

The “Elevation” project is also backed by big names, including the writer of “The Bourne Ultimatum” (director-screenwriter Nolfi) and the producer of the horror franchise “A Quiet Place” (Fuller).

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