Three former Blues - Tommy Smith, Frank Nouble and Alan Judge - scored Colchester's goals after Joe Pigott and Macauley Bonne had opened their Ipswich accounts to twice give the visitors the lead.
Judge's goal punished a Tomas Holy error at the back but there was till time for an equaliser, which came courtesy of an excellent Wes Burns free-kick.
Photographer Warren Page captured the best of the action.
Paul Cook talks to Mark Ashton at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Town fans at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Town fans at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Town fans at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Town fans at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Ipswich Town chief executive Mark Ashton has been keen to engage with supporters. (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Alan Judge in action at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Armando Dobra shoots at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Joe Piggott is congratulated on scoring at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Noah Chilvers under pressure at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Armando Dobra gets a welcome to our place shoulder barge from Luke Chambers at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Alan Judge challenges Rakeem Harper at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Joe Piggott shoots at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Joe Piggott shoots at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Macaulay Bonne scores Ipswich's second at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
New signings George Edmondson Conor Chaplin and Lee Evans in the stands at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Joe Piggott shields the ball from Luke Chambers at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Armando Dobra goes on a mazy run at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Armando Dobra goes on a mazy run at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Armando Dobra closes down Tommy Smith at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Wes Burns scores with a late free-kick to earn Ipswich a 3-3 draw at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Wes Burns celebrates scoring with a late free-kick to earn Ipswich a 3-3 draw at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Kane Vincent-Young stretches for the ball at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Armando Dobra collides with the back of a defender right on the final whistle at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
James Norwood embraces Luke Chambers after Ipswich's 3-3 friendly draw at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
All smiles for Luke Chambers after Ipswich's 3-3 friendly draw at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Luke Woolfenden talks to Mike Bacon after Ipswich's 3-3 friendly draw at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Luke Woolfenden talks to Mike Bacon after Ipswich's 3-3 friendly draw at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Armando Dobra wins the late free-kick from Tom Eastman to earn Ipswich a 3-3 draw at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Luke Chambers applauds the Ipswich fans after the 3-3 draw at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
LukeChambers gives a hug to former team-mate Kane Vincent-Young after the 3-3 draw at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Armando Dobra surrounded by former team-mates at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Armando Dobra takes on a defender at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Kayden Jackson goes for goal at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Cole Skuse on as a second half sub against Ipswich at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
Kane Vincent-Young on the ball at Colchester United (Image: Pagepix Ltd 07976 935738)
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