Whether you like red or green chili ... winter time is the best time to enjoy a hot, delicious bowl! How about trying a whole bunch of different ones!?! 

Introducing the first-ever Chili Cook Off at the Colorado Tap House!  Up to 24 people will compete for the title of the Best Chili in West Arvada...well, at least at the Colorado Tap House.

YOU can come be part of the action, try each chili and vote for your favorite(s)!  

Think you have the best chili among your friends and family? Enter your red or green chili for a chance to win the title and a share of over $600 in total prizes!

We'll have 3 official industry judges taste and select our winners and votes will determine the "people's choice" winners (who will also get spots on our coveted Colorado Tap House Wall of Champions Plaque).

JUDGE SELECTED PRIZES (Judging will be at 2:00 PM)
1st Place Winners in each division get $125 cash
2nd Place Winners in each division get $50 CTH gift cards

PEOPLES CHOICE PRIZES (selected based on voting)
1st Place Winners in each division get $75 CTH gift cards (and their name on the Wall of Champions Plaque)
2nd Place Winners in each division get $50 CTH gift cards

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SAMPLING PASSES
$18 ($20 at the door) gets you:
- A Tasting Pass
- Drink (draft beer, house wine, well-cocktail or NA bev)
- One vote

Get more votes when you purchase additional beverages during the tasting event. You can also buy another vote for $3.

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CHILI ENTRANTS
$15  Entrants also get a Tasting Pass, Drink and One vote 

Just select your division, give your chili a name, provide your list of ingredients, and start cooking!  

Note - Entrants will be responsible for their own serving crock, ladles, and any toppings (and needed serving utensils). More details will be provided during the signup process. 

Judges will be judging chili at 2:00 PM. Winners for all categories will be announced by 3:45 PM.

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Official Industry Judges: 

Matt Poffel brings 30+ years of hospitality experience and a serious passion for food and craft beer. By day, he curates top-tier beer menus for Old Chicago. By night, he’s “Kinggoonsmoke” on TikTok grilling up greatness — or talking food, sports, and nonsense on the My Brother is an Idiot podcast. When it comes to chili, Matt believes the best bowls aren’t about fancy ingredients, but the love (and personality) stirred into every pot. 🌶️🍻

Michael Bradley, aka the “Bacon Ninja,” is the Executive Chef at Yard House in downtown Denver with 20+ years of culinary mastery across Colorado kitchens. When he’s not cracking dad jokes to keep the line laughing, he’s hosting epic food battles in his Mise En Place Facebook group (700+ members strong). Beware — the jokes are hot, and so is the chili. 🥓🔥😄

Nick Pino is taking over Arvada as head chef of Vinnie and Marie’s Italian — a food truck dream turned brick-and-mortar hit that sells out daily.   With a family chili legacy (yes, there’s a pepper named after his uncle 🌶️), Nick is bringing his serious appetite and lifelong love of cooking to judge our first chili cook-off.  When he’s not crushing it in the kitchen, this Scorpio is into sports and long walks on the beach. 🌶️🔥