I just got a colorado 3. The connectors are different. I can't hook up my standard dmx cables because the colorado 3 dmx connectors are slightly smaller.. I can plug it up but the power out are way bigger so I can't hook anything to it. Why?

I'm not going to lookup what a Colorado 3 is right now it's almost 1AM and I just got in from a show and my back is hurting like hell.

I think the issue may be that perhaps the Colorado 3 is using 5 pin DMX. if this is the case, you have multiple choices:

You can build an adaptor
You can buy an adaptor
You can get something else that can split your signal that provides 3 and 5 pin DMX, such as the Elation OptiBranch4. This option may not be all that great depending on how your wiring is.

I suggest you learn to build an adaptor. The skills will come in handy for other things.

Then again, maybe they got defective or non-standard PC board mounted connections.

Actually, the issue is the ColorRado3 uses a proprietary cable that is needed before you can link it with other fixtures. The ColorRado1 also needs this same cable along with ColorRado6. The only product listed in the series that says it has 3 pin or 5 pin DMX is the ColorDashQuad.

This is one of the reasons I don't like the ColorRado series vs similar products. They are also vague about what lights need their ColorCON for control and what lights can just use DMX.