Brighton Chile Fest (formerly Denver Chili Fest)

The Brighton Chile Fest (formerly Denver Chile Fest) is the Rocky Mountain Region’s premier annual celebration of the chile harvest!

Brighton Chile Fest is a one day event at Lulu’s Farm (located at Highway 85 and 144th Avenue in Brighton, Colorado) that’s literally all about chiles, and tons of fun for all ages! Join us Saturday, September 9th, 2023 from 12:00-6:00pm.

Chiles ready to roast at Brighton Chile Fest (formerly Denver Chili Fest), Lulu's Farm, Brighton ColoradoEnjoy the biggest selection of fresh roasted chiles in the region! Pre-order your chiles by the full or half-bushel, and we can have them ready for you to pick up, or order on site, and we’ll roast them while you enjoy the festival. We start roasting at 6 AM so it’s the perfect opportunity to stock up.

And of course, it wouldn’t be the Chile Fest without being able to learn about chiles! Don’t be shy… this is your chance to ask any questions you may have about chiles—working with them, making salsas, which peppers are best for what kind of recipes, etc.

Sample a wide variety of specialty and gourmet foods, sauces, jams, and jellies you’ll only find at Lulu’s.

The Brighton Chile Fest is lots of fun for all ages

Back by popular demand, enjoy a high energy mix of country and classic rock ‘n roll with Narrow Gauge. They are Denver’s three-time consecutive winner (2017-2019) of Wedding Wire’s “Couples’ Choice Award”.

The younger attendees will have fun hanging out at the Barr Lake State Park t-shirt coloring station, face painting, and more!

The shopper in you will enjoy wandering among the exhibits of artisan crafted items and unique locally sourced and manufactured merchandise vendors.

Brighton Legacy Foundation logoAnd what would a festival be without delicious offerings from popular food trucks to delight your taste buds. We’ve got a rock star line-up of trucks that will tickle your savory and sweet taste buds. And of course, you can’t have an event at Lulu’s without our hospitality tent offering a variety of delicious libations including locally brewed craft beers, craft cocktails, and more! A percentage of the hospitality proceeds supports our non-profit partner Brighton Legacy Foundation, providing grant funding for a number of local non-profit organizations.

Lodging: Are you coming in from outside of the Metro Denver area and need a hotel? We recommend one of the following hotels.

Contact the Brighton Chile Fest.

Our Sponsors and Community Partners

Historic Splendid Valley logoLulu’s Farm and the Brighton Chile Fest are proud to be a significant part of the Historic Splendid Valley.

Brought to you by Lulu’s Farm with support from our terrific sponsors and community partners!

Lulu's Farm, Brighton Colorado, logo
Barr Lake State Park, Colorado State Parks logo
Adams County Sheriff's Department logo
Discover Brighton logo
Greater Brighton Colorado Chamber of Commerce logo

Vendor Info

Due to limited space and overwhelming requests to participate, vendor registration is by invitation only. If you are interested in being a vendor for the 2023 Brighton Chile Fest please contact us at 303-659-3300 or on facebook with a link to your website, facebook page, or online portfolio. We will review your product offerings and let you know if you are a good fit.

Cost Description
$75 base +10% of sales Food vendor: space + power included
$75 Merchandise vendor: 10’x10′ space only (fee waived for Lulu’s suppliers if sales go through Lulu’s registers)

Please review the Vendor frequently asked questions for further information.

Vendor FAQs

Can I just set up in the parking lot or bring flyers to hand out or put on vehicles?

Absolutely not! These activities are prohibited by the Brighton Chile Fest and property owner. Anyone who has not paid for a booth space and is passing out information or otherwise conducting business without prior approval will be escorted off the premises. If your offering is suitable to circulating among the crowd and passing out samples, you must receive prior approval from us and pay a vendor fee for product promotion.

Hours & Setup

What are the exhibit hours?

The festival and exhibits officially run from 12:00-6:00 PM. That said, Lulu’s opens at 9:00 AM and customers have a tendency to come outside to check things out early. If you are set up early, you may be able to capture some early business!

When can I start setting up?

Vendor set-up begins at 9:00 AM, and booths must be ready to go no later than 11:30 AM. No vendors will be allowed in prior to 9:00 AM without prior approval.

Can I pack up and leave before 6:00 PM?

No! Early departure of vendors is not permitted as it is disruptive to guests and breaks the flow of the festival. If a vendor breaks down early they will NOT be invited back.

Application & Payment

What forms of payment do you accept for payment of vendor fees?

Credit card (paid by calling 303.659.3300) is preferred. Credit card, cash, or check can also be paid in person at Lulu’s Farm store.

Do I need to pay the vendor fees before the day of the festival?

Yes, fees must be paid to reserve your spot.

If my application is not accepted will my payment be returned?

Vendor registration is by invitation only. You will not receive a registration form unless we have already determined you are a good fit. That said, the only way to ensure your spot is to submit your registration and pay the vendor fee. Vendor fees MUST be paid in full prior to the event.

For what reason(s) might my application not be approved?

We disapprove an application if there are too many of a certain type of product overlap, or if the business or product offered is not a good fit. We also have limited space, and high-demand, so acceptance is on a first-come basis once invitations have been sent out.

Do non-profits receive a discounted vendor fee?

No. The Brighton Chile Fest is a fundraiser for the Brighton Legacy Foundation. We have a low flat fee for vendor booths. If, however, your non-profit provides a kid-oriented activity as part of your booth we may consider waiving the vendor fee on a case-by-case basis.

Booth Info

How does the Brighton Chile Fest decide where to place vendors?

We lay out the Chile Fest to facilitate channeling attendees through the event for maximum exposure to all booths. Our sponsors receive priority placement. We try to separate competing vendors or those with similar products. With some vendors we try to group complimentary products together. Requiring electricity or utilizing propane or other flammable substance also affects where your booth is placed. Ensuring the safety of our guests and vendors while creating a good flow is very important to us.

Where is my booth located?

The festival is outside, rain or shine, and the surface is primarily hard dirt and some gravel. We have event staff on site to direct you to your booth space. We also have staff available to help you unload and streamline the process to get vehicles moved to vendor parking as quickly as possible. All accepted vendors will receive a vendor info sheet via email by September 4th with directions for load-in, load-out, and vendor parking.

How big are the booth spaces?

Vendor booth spaces are 10′x10′. If you are supplying your own canopy, or bringing any stand alone signage, display furniture, etc., it must all fit within your 10’x10′ booth space! We have limited space so this is extremely important and there are no exceptions!

What if I need more space?

You can rent additional 10’x10′ spaces if available.

Can a booth space be shared by multiple businesses/groups?

Up to two vendors/businesses may share a 10’x10′ booth. The price is the same. Please be sure to include both business and contact names on your registration form, as well as product/service info.

Fixtures & Power

Do I need to order electricity when I submit my application, or can I request it the day of the festival?

It must be ordered and paid for when you register. Only certain areas are adjacent to power, so this will determine your booth placement. We are NOT able to provide power at the last minute.

Can I get an extension cord or power strip to use if I order a power hook-up?

No, we do not have extension cords or power strips available for loan. You need to bring your own.

How long of an extension cord do I need?

We recommend a minimum of 25′.

If I run out of propane can I get more on site. Or do I need to reserve it in advance?

Yes, we have plenty of propane available for purchase at $3.99 per gallon. No, you do not need to order in advance.

Parking

Is there designated vendor parking?

Yes, event staff will direct you to the designated vendor parking area during load-in. All vendor and vendor employee vehicles must park in this designated area. Vendor and employee parking is NOT permitted in the front Lulu’s parking lot. We appreciate your cooperation with this in order to have as much parking available for customers and festival attendees as possible. Any vendor caught violating this will not be welcome back next year!

Sales Tax

Do I need a sales tax license and is it City of Brighton or Adams County?

If you are selling something, yes! Sales tax licenses are REQUIRED by the state of Colorado. Note, the Brighton Chile Fest is located in unincorporated Adams County. As a vendor, you are required to collect tax on all sales and remit those taxes to the county and state on your own.

Where do I get a tax license?

You can download sales tax license forms by following this link: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/tax/sales-tax-instructions-and-forms

You can also apply in person at:
144 West Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80202

Which tax license do I need, Special Events or Regular?

Please refer to the web site listed above. But in a nutshell, if you are only doing one fair this year, get a one-time special events license. If you are doing two or more fairs, you’ll need the multiple events license. If you have a regular business, the sales tax license for that business will most likely cover the Brighton Chile Fest. Please verify this with the Department of Revenue.

We’re not selling anything, do we need a sales tax license?

No. You do not need a sales tax license for the festival if you are only promoting your services or business on site, and no money is changing hands.