DENVER — Lauren Grimshaw Sloan will take the reins as Colorado’s newest film commissioner on Thursday, following a monthslong search that began when the former commissioner was fired without explanation in September.

Sloan comes to the film office with strong credentials as the state prepares for the arrival of Sundance Film Festival in Boulder in January 2027. She most recently worked at Denver-based SeriesFest, which often calls itself the Sundance of television and attracts major streamers, networks and stars to the city each year.

She acted as director of artist development there for six years, following a four-year stint as deputy film commissioner, from 2012-2016, for the aforementioned office of Colorado Film, Television and Media, and worked as a producer in the film industry.

“This is a pivotal moment for Colorado’s film, television and media industry, made possible by the hard work of industry professionals and economic development leaders across the state,” Sloan said in a statement provided to The Denver Post, having beaten out more than 120 other candidates, the state said. ““We have an incredible opportunity to build lasting infrastructure, expand opportunity for creators and crews, and strengthen Colorado’s position as a premier destination for storytelling.”

Sloan will report to Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, directed by Josh Blanchard. The film office operates on legislatively-approved money to support local film production and provide tax rebates to draw productions to the state, despite Colorado being dwarfed in budget by neighboring states such as New Mexico and Utah. Colorado Creative Industries funds local projects, promotes nonprofit arts projects, and manages state art districts, among other responsibilities.

Sloan’s industry experience is crucial to her position, said Randi Kleiner, co-founder and CEO of SeriesFest.

“She’s absolutely a visionary and very, very effective,” Kleiner said. “Pairing her industry knowledge with her passion and effectiveness, I think she’s going to turn to really big ideas and real results.”

“She’s an extremely connected, personable, wonderful person,” Zuckerman told The Denver Post. “Working with her, it didn’t take her long to realize what was needed for the office. She’s diligent and extremely hard-working.”

Some members of OEDIT last fall praised Zuckerman’s work and wondered why the state gave no further explanation of his firing beyond “unsatisfactory behavior.” Zuckerman declined to comment on the matter.. Eve Lieberman, executive director of OEDIT, has also declined to comment on Zuckerman’s firing.

Zuckerman was praised for building up the state’s film office, garnering legislative approval for millions of dollars in filming and film festival credits and incentives, and attracting movies such as Quentin Tarantino’s “The Hateful Eight” to Colorado. He was also credited for securing the Sundance Film Festival, which will move to Boulder in 2027 after 44 years in Park City, Utah, the state where it was founded.

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