Town turned this derby on its head with goals from Jon Walters, Liam Trotter and Danny Haynes making it five home wins on the trot after Clive Platt had given the visitors the lead.
Colchester led midway through the second-half after Platt's 30th minute opener but the game turned midway through the second-half when Neil Alexander saved Mark Yeates' penalty.
Walters equalised soon after before Trotter marked his home debut with a close range header on 80 minutes and Haynes added a third four minutes later to retain Blues' 100 per cent home record and make it nine successive wins at Portman Road, a record going back 25 years.
Pablo Counago returned to the starting line-up, Sylvain Legwinski retaining his place in midfield with Tommy Miller sidelined through injury.
Walters posed a threat for Blues inside the first minute, breaking down the right flank and going down under a challenge from George Elokobi but no penalty claim followed.
David Wright had a shot blocked inside the box while at the other end, Jason De Vos cleared from Kevin Lisbie.
Yeates shot wide for Colchester on the quarter hour as the visitors looked to catch Town on the break, Counago having a shot saved by Aidan Davison, the Us' 'keeper forcing the ball away from danger.
Platt sent a header just over, Colchester then having a penalty claim when Matthew Connolly's header appeared to strike Alan Lee on the back of the arm.
At the other end, Lee's sublime pass fed Walters on the right but he delayed his cross and the chance was gone.
The visitors got the breakthrough on the half hour, Johnnie Jackson's chested the ball down for Platt who fired low past Alexander and into the bottom corner.
Town responded with Pat Baldwin deflecting Dan Harding's cross over the bar after excellent work by Counago. Harding then showing good pace to rob Lisbie as the Colchester striker broke into the box.
George Williams' side should have had a second on 37 minutes, Platt lifting the ball over Alexander but then finding the sidenetting.
Harding picked up the first yellow card of the game for a foul, with Alexander forced into a save on the half-time whistle, denying Danny Granville on the line.
Billy Clarke volleyed over in the first exchanges of the second-half, while Jackson had a chance to extend the Us' lead soon after, hitting the sidenetting after a break. Lee then testing Davison with a low shot.
The Colchester 'keeper was then forced to dive to the right to save from Owen Garvan as Town pressed for an equaliser although Us had their own chances, Lisbie denied by a Fabian Wilnis block then Connolly's header palmed behind by Alexander.
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Alexander saves Mark Yeates' penalty |
Haynes replaced Clarke just past the hour in Town's first change.
Counago was close to getting Blues back on terms on 66 minutes, spinning away from his marker but volleying wide.
Town were given a lifeline two minutes later, Lisbie went down in the box under Alexander's challenge. The 'keeper protested his innocence but was booked by referee Keith Stroud. Up stepped Yeates to take the penalty but the Scotland international dived to his left to make the save, his first from the penalty spot in Town colours.
Seconds later Town were level, Harding burst into the box, his cross hit Walters who recovered his balance to fire into the net.
Kem Izzet was booked as the game burst into life, Haynes doing superbly to block from Platt as he pulled back the trigger.
Trotter replaced Legwinskifor his first game of the season, Teddy Sheringham coming on for Yeates at the same time.
Counago's trickery created another opening, the Spaniard failing to get any power on his shot though.
Trotter marked his home debut on 80 minutes in sensational style, heading in Garvan's corner from close range.
Four minutes later Blues made it three, Haynes capitalising on slack marking in the box and heading past Davison from eight yards to secure the derby honours for Blues over Us.
Town: Alexander, Wright, De Vos, Wilnis, Harding, Walters, Garvan, Legwinski (Trotter 76), Clarke (Haynes 61), Lee, Counago (Roberts 86). Subs not used: Supple, Bruce. Booked: Harding, Alexander.
Colchester: Davison, Balogh, Baldwin, Connolly, Elokobi, Yeates (Sheringham 76), Jackson, Izzet,Granville, Platt, Lisbie. Subs not used: Gerken, Watson, McLeod, Virgo. Booked: Izzet.
Att: 25,727
