Pueblo Farmers Harvested Chile Crop Amid Record Heat
Local growers navigated extreme 2026 drought conditions to bring in the annual harvest for the community.
Updated on Sept. 19, 2026 in Agriculture
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Pueblo farmers successfully completed the annual chile harvest during the summer of 2026 despite the hottest temperatures on record in Colorado. The harvest reached completion as the region prepared for a local festival celebrating the crop.
Why it matters
Limited water availability from the Arkansas River due to low winter snowmelt necessitated restricted irrigation, forcing farmers to prioritize higher-yield crops to maintain viability. These environmental challenges were compounded by rising costs for fuel, fertilizer, and labor.
The Bessemer Ditch experienced flows averaging 80 cubic feet per second throughout the summer. Meanwhile, the New Mexico Chile Association reported a supply shortfall of 20% to 50% for its chiles.
The players
Crites Produce
This farm located in Avondale, Colorado, opted to plant only 40% of its usual acreage this season.
DiTomaso farm
This local operation reports selling approximately 150 bushels of chile daily.
New Mexico Chile Association
This trade organization monitors supply trends and reported a significant state shortfall of 20% to 50%.
The details
Farmers in the area adjusted by reducing planted acreage and optimizing irrigation practices to cope with the water shortage. These operational changes were essential to managing the reduced water supply from the Arkansas River.
Timeline
1874: The Bessemer Ditch was first dug to support local irrigation.
Winter 2025-26: Low snowmelt significantly reduced Arkansas River water levels.
Summer 2026: Colorado experienced its hottest summer on record.
Weekend of September 19-20, 2026: The annual Pueblo chile harvest festival takes place.
Market Landscape
This season serves as a stress test for the agricultural infrastructure established by the 1874 construction of the Bessemer Ditch. As water scarcity challenges regional output, farmers must increasingly compete with the broader 20% to 50% supply shortfall reported in New Mexico.
Consumers can expect the harvest to support the 2,500 bushels planned for the upcoming festival despite the reduced total acreage planted this season. These supply constraints may influence local pricing and availability for chiles throughout the remainder of the year.
The takeaway
Maintaining agricultural production in the face of record heat requires precise water management and difficult decisions regarding land use. Farmers continue to balance these environmental constraints against the rising costs of essential inputs like labor and fertilizer.
Further reading
Learn more about local farming developments on the Agriculture page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Colorado Springs Gazette.
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