This May, in honor of National Salsa Month, we meet several Colorado salsa makers who regularly appear at farmers markets and festivals across the state. While some are family-owned farms that grow and roast their own chiles, others are local salsa businesses, and traveling salsa stands. Read on for our favorites.
DiTomaso Farms (Pueblo, CO)
DiTomaso Farms, a family-owned farm located in Pueblo, has been in operation for over 100 years. In addition to growing and roasting their own chiles, they make their famous LoJo’s Hot Salsa. It sells out every year.
DiTomaso Farms can be found at the Rustler Farmers Market, a feature of the annual Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival. A proud sponsor of the event, DiTomaso Farms’ booth is hard to miss. Just look for the giant chile roaster and colorful banner featuring a flame red truck.
Find them: Rustler Farmers Market
Historic Downtown Pueblo
September 22-24, 2023
Black Girl Salsa (Colorado Springs, CO)
Black Girl Salsa is a Colorado Springs salsa company started by in 2021 by Colorado native Shauna Sankey. Born from the pandemic, Sankey’s salsa business proudly makes weekly batches of salsa that are vegan, gluten free, and non-GMO. She and her husband, Steve, regularly appear at farmers markets, country markets, and local events around the Colorado Springs area. Notable offerings include the flavorful Smokey Habanero Salsa, and fiery Boo-Ya Ghost Pepper Salsa.
Find them: Fountain Community Market
1508 E Ohio Ave, Fountain, CO
Every Saturday, May to September
Lynda Sue's Salsa (Colorado Springs, CO)
Lynda Sue’s Salsa was established in Colorado Springs in 2021 by Lynda Sue, a longtime salsa maker who never thought she’d make a living selling salsa. For 20 years, she whipped up batches of her spicy salsa for family and friends. It wasn’t until a chance encounter with a salsa loving girl from Denver that Lynda Sue felt inspired to launch her own salsa business.
Today she appears at farmers markets in Monument and Woodland Park, where she sells a variety of homemade salsas, ranging from Roasted Pueblo Chile Salsa to Ghostly Hot Salsa.
Find them: Monument Hill Farmers Market
66 Jefferson St, Monument, CO
Every Saturday, May to October
La Esmeralda (Greeley, CO)
La Esmeralda is a traveling tamale and salsa stand that regularly appears at farmers markets in Boulder and Longmont. Fan favorites include their Medium Tomatillo Salsa, and Hot Smoked Chipotle Salsa.
Find them: Boulder County Farmers Markets
1900 13th St, Boulder, CO
Every Thursday, June to September
Excelsior Orchards (Paonia, CO)
Excelsior Orchards, a family-owned orchard in Paonia, was established in the 1890s by the Turner Brothers. Situated at an elevation of 6,000 feet, on the north slope of Mount Lamborn, Excelsior Orchards grows a variety of fruits, such as cherries, apples, peaches, and plums. They also make fruit preserves, chutneys, and salsas, canned in the country style. Visit the Salida Farmers Market or Buena Vista Farmers Market to find their booth.
Find them: Salida Farmers Market
5th and East St, Salida, CO
Every Saturday, June to October
