Sweet heat that can't be beat: Pueblo chile season has arrived
The smell of roasting chiles is permeating the air as Pueblo's signature chile crop harvest is underway on farms east of Pueblo.
As the birthplace of the Pueblo chile, Pueblo is an agricultural haven where more than 100 local farms grow not only chiles but a heaping harvest of healthy produce each summer. Pueblo chiles are not only flavorful, but they have a thicker meat that makes them ideal for roasting.
Once peeled, the fiery peppers have limitless uses, from spicing up breakfast burritos and sandwiches to being the prime ingredient in salsa or chile ideal for smothering everything from French fries to burgers. Pueblo chefs know what their customers crave and have incorporated locally grown chiles into all sorts of dishes from mac and cheese to pizza, and even desserts.
On Aug. 12, the chile crop situation was summed up as "so far so good" by Rocky Musso, co-owner of Musso Farms on The Mesa.
"The chiles are starting to come on strong and should be in their prime in the next couple of weeks," Musso said. "We've been roasting as much as we can pick."
Pueblo-grown Mirasol chiles grow upward, thus earning their Spanish name, which denotes "looking at the sun." According to the Pueblo Chile Growers Association, "Pueblo's chile is a spicy gem that exclusively grows in the plains of eastern Pueblo and has become a local legend."
It is Pueblo's hot, dry climate that makes it ideal for growing chiles.
Workers pick Pueblo chiles at a Musso Farms field on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
"I know there has been some bad weather, but we haven't got caught in anything too horrible so far," Musso said. "If the weather holds, we should be good."
The harvest season usually runs until late September or early October.
Chiles tumble in a roaster at Musso Farms on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Dalton Milberger, who said he has been working the crops at Milberger Farms "since I could walk," said that so far, "the weather is cooperating and things are looking great."
"We've gotten a little more rain than we would like, but we've been roasting chiles for a week now," Milberger said.
Milberger said the family's crops of summer squash, several varieties of cucumbers, melons and sweet corn also are getting picked and are offered for sale in the family store, which also features a restaurant.
Isidro Hernandez sprays down chiles in a roaster at Musso Farms on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Where to get your Pueblo chiles
Following is a list of local farm stands that are open for business in the area where Pueblo chiles and a plethora of other produce are available.
Crites Produce
Location: 135 U.S. Highway 50 East in Avondale. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily during harvest
The Crites family is growing 65 acres of vegetables this year and offers Pueblo chiles for wholesale and retail, plus chile roasting and processing.
Peppers & Petals LLC
Location: 2115 Santa Fe Drive in Pueblo. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Although Peppers & Petals Owner Cheri Pullara no longer grows her own produce, she sells locally grown chiles, a variety of produce and Western Slope cherries, peaches and apricots. The business also has locally grown pickling cucumbers, corn, squash, and beets, as well as locally made salsas, jams and jellies.
Tim Packard bags up chiles from a roaster at Musso Farms on Tuesday, August 12, 2025.
Vic Mauro Produce
Location: 1037 35th Lane. Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
Vic Mauro Produce has been in business for more than 30 years. Located right next to Pueblo County High School, the market offers locally grown corn, watermelon, pinto beans, Pueblo chile, squash and much more.
Milberger Farms
Location: 28570 U.S. Highway 50 East. Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week.
The Milberger family operates a 400-acre farm and offers seasonal produce, year-round chiles, grass-fed beef and handmade baked goods. The family also operates a full-service breakfast and lunch restaurant that is open the same hours as the farm. Products include local honey, jams, cheeses and much more.
Mauro Farms and Bakery
Location: 936 36th Lane. Hours: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday.
The family-owned and operated business has involved four generations. Mauro's offers Pueblo chiles, produce and local favorites like Potica, candies, cookies and sweetbreads.
Di Santi Farms
Location: 29114 S. Road. Hours: 9 a.m.–5 p.m. daily.
In addition to Pueblo chiles, the Di Santi Family grows sweet corn, calabacita, zucchini and yellow squash, onions, radishes, cilantro, beets and cucumbers. For those looking for something sweeter, they've also got watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, plums, cherries, jams, jellies and much more.
DiTomaso Farms
Location: 37137 U.S. Highway 50. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
DiTomaso Farms has the oldest fruit stand in the state of Colorado, according to its website. The farm’s main crop is the Pueblo chile, but the family also sells a wide range of homegrown fruits, vegetables and other food products.
Musso Farms
Location: 35779 Hillside Road. Hours: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily.
The Musso family offers plenty of farm-fresh produce items, but this is the place where chile is king. Fresh Pueblo chile, fire-roasted jarred Pueblo chile, Pueblo chile powders and Pueblo chile-infused products are among the farm's fiery offerings. They even have freeze-dried Pueblo chile.
Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at [email protected] or via X at x.com/tracywumps. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.
