Crazy Fun in Colorado – The Great Colorado vs. Texas Tomato War

Each year, near Colorado Springs, people gather to "battle it out" over who's better: Colorado or Texas? Over 100 people throw over-ripe tomatoes at each other to capture the opponents flag and to win "bragging rights."

Tomato War Could Be Coming to a Colorado Town Near You

This seems like an event any town in Colorado, from Pueblo to Fort Collins might be interested in. It doesn't have to be about "Colorado vs. Texas," it could be a "Fort Collins vs. Boulder" fun event. You could have band, some food trucks, and make a real festival out of it.

This event reminded me of something that used to happen, to best of my knowledge, with the New West Fest in Fort Collins. People would line up to throw over-ripe tomatoes at a wall in Downtown.

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This event got its start way back in 1982 outside of Leadville; organized by a hotel owner at the time, to stir up publicity for her hotel. They would put together an "Alamo" out of haybales, and have a battle to take over that Alamo. That original 'Colorado-Texas Tomato War' stopped happening around 1991.

Dormant Tomato War Makes a Comeback

It looks like the event was brought back to life in 2021 in Buena Vista. According to the Ark Valley Voice, the 2025 event drew over 300 people, including about 130 who were throwing 4,500 pounds tomatoes at one another, raising over $20,000 for the local Optimist Club.

KOAA Channel 5 was at the 2022 event and captured some great footage of the 'Great Colorado vs. Texas Tomato War.'