diff --git a/bonfire/resources/ephemeral-cluster-clowdenvironment.yaml b/bonfire/resources/ephemeral-cluster-clowdenvironment.yaml
index d33f5237..7c998cf4 100644
--- a/bonfire/resources/ephemeral-cluster-clowdenvironment.yaml
+++ b/bonfire/resources/ephemeral-cluster-clowdenvironment.yaml
@@ -58,11 +58,10 @@ objects:
         pvc: true
         # disable tls/auth for now until core apps are ready
         enableLegacyStrimzi: true
-        # use v2.6.0 since the custom kafka-connect image for cyndi-operator expects that
         cluster:
-          version: "2.6.0"
+          version: "2.7.0"
         connect:
-          version: "2.6.0"
+          version: "2.7.0"
           image: "quay.io/cloudservices/xjoin-kafka-connect-strimzi:182ab8b"
       db:
         mode: local
diff --git a/bonfire/resources/local-cluster-clowdenvironment.yaml b/bonfire/resources/local-cluster-clowdenvironment.yaml
index 288578a1..2a514eb7 100644
--- a/bonfire/resources/local-cluster-clowdenvironment.yaml
+++ b/bonfire/resources/local-cluster-clowdenvironment.yaml
@@ -52,11 +52,10 @@ objects:
         mode: operator
         # disable tls/auth for now until core apps are ready
         enableLegacyStrimzi: true
-        # use v2.6.0 since the custom kafka-connect image for cyndi-operator expects that
         cluster:
-          version: "2.6.0"
+          version: "2.7.0"
         connect:
-          version: "2.6.0"
+          version: "2.7.0"
           image: "quay.io/cloudservices/xjoin-kafka-connect-strimzi:182ab8b"
       db:
         mode: local