Jonathan Kayne Gown

Emily Stark ·

Finding the right dress can be an amazing adventure to wear on stage. We are lucky to have a partnership with Black Tie White Satin who carry many gown designers. One of the designers is Jonathan Kayne. Here are to dresses from Jonathan Kayne that Colorado queens have worn. Curious about Jonathan Kayne Dresses or Black Tie White Satin - check them out www.blacktiewhitesatinbridal.com and https://www.johnathankayne.com/

Nikki Goss wore this dress on the Colorado & national stage as Mrs. Colorado American 2022.

Jessica Keller - Miss Colorado for America Strong 2025 wore this dress.

Are you ready to participate?

Emily Stark ·

Where Will You Find Your Greatness?

Originally posted in 2014 still relevant in 2025

Are you toying with the idea of competing for the title of Mrs. Colorado or Miss CO for America Strong, but something is holding you back? It's impossible to finish a goal that we don't start. Without taking the first step, goals are just nice ideas that fail to ignite our true potential.

As the Colorado director, I get asked a lot of questions, especially questions about what it takes to win. There must be a magic formula right? To that I say, NO WAY! Here are some Mrs. Colorado/Miss Co for America pageant myths debunked.

Do I have to be a perfect 'Barbie Doll'?
Barbie doesn't exist. It's about who you are as a person. For more insight, read Some of My Best Friends Are Beauty Queens, by Tricia Dampier, Mrs. CO 1989.

What if I have already won another title?
We don't care what your pageant history has been. Christina Sacha, Mrs. CO 2008, held the title of Little Miss America. Shalon Polson, Mrs. CO 2010, was Miss Teen CO USA 1997 and placed in the top 10 at Miss Teen USA.
                                       
What if I'm not originally from Colorado?
We don't care where you grew up, just that you live in Colorado now and want to represent our wonderful state. Marney Duckworth, Mrs. America 2007 and Mrs. CO 2006, was raised in Nebraska and later moved to Colorado. Nicki Myers, Mrs. Colorado 2014 was raised in Arizona and signed up for the pageant to meet ladies.

Do I have to be a college graduate or accomplished professionally?
Debi Moore, Mrs. CO 1994 was a stay-at-home mother, Nicole Covney, Mrs. CO 2020 was a business owner and Toni Cole, Mrs. CO 1990 was a full-time student when they won. Your life experience is what matters.

What if I didn't win on my first try competing?
Experience is gained through competing. Raeanne Smith, Mrs. CO 2000, competed for four years before winning. Traci Holman, Mrs. CO 2001, competed twice and won. Dani Holliday, Mrs. CO 2023 won on her 5th try.

What if I'm really busy?
Busy women know how to get things done. Courtney Graham, Mrs. CO 2012 ran her household and worked full-time while raising two boys active in many different sports.

Do you have to have children to win?
We have had several titleholders that did not have children including Jennifer Lamont in 2005 and Megan Yarberry in 2009, who also placed in the top 10 at Mrs. America.

What if I am pregnant or working on getting pregnant?
Deandre Warren, Mrs. CO 1997, was pregnant when she won. Tiffany Sawyer, Mrs. CO 2007, was pregnant during her reign. We are family at Mrs. Colorado. We have had pregnant contestants onstage.

Is there a height minimum or maximum?
There are no height requirements to win. Sheri Engstrom, Mrs. CO 2004 is 5'4" and Gina Mulholland, Mrs. CO 1998 is 5'3".

Am I too old or too young?
The only age requirement is that you must be at least 18-years-old. We have had winners from 21 to 39 years old. Janet Horvath was 39 when she won in 1991, Mina Muirhead was 37 when she won in 2013. Elisabeth Cartmill was only 21 when she won in 2003. Sylvia Waller was 60 years old when she captured the title in 2022.

What if I can't afford it?
We have many sponsorship ideas and resources that will be available if awarded a city title.  Plus, we have a new Share the Journey program to help you cover your expenses because life is more fun when it's shared.

What if I don't fit the mold?
There is no defined mold. Blair Morgan, Mrs. CO 1991, was in the military. Janell Ames, Mrs. CO 2011, is a self-confessed tomboy and placed second runner-up at Mrs. America. Nicki Meyer won with a short pixie haircut.

What if I have no pageant experience?
Over half of our contestants are "new" to pageantry. Both Amy Nugent, Mrs. CO 1996, and Sharon Nuanes, Mrs. CO 1981, won in their first year competing.

From Nicki Meyers: When I am gathered with my sister queens from years past or even at the Mrs. America competition just a few weeks ago, one thing I notice is that we are all so different. That's what I love about this program. As married women we all bring something unique to the pageant world.

Together, we have conquered fears, overcome challenges, discovered passions. We believe the starting line is a springboard to accomplishment and that the finish line is simply a metaphor for achievement. 

We are strong. Fierce. Able. And kind. We are destined for greatness. 

- Athleta Lifetime Espirit de She
If you have more questions about competing visit our website, www.mrscolorado.com or leave a comment below.

Mrs. Colorado American Program Book Covers

Emily Stark ·

Our beautiful Mrs. Colorado American titleholders Program Book Covers

Curious About the Colorado Pageant?

Emily Stark ·

Join us on December 13th at 9am to learn more -

Email us for the Google Meet Link

Pageant Dress Brand Ideas and Stores

Emily Stark ·

It’s time to compile a list of dress designers that work in the pageant arena -

Here are some great pageant dress brands - 

Mac Duggal

Sherri Hill

Jovani

Jonathan Kayne

Ramona Designs

Ashley Lauren

Rachel Allan 

Portia & Scarlett

Tarik Ediz (must try on as his fitting is unique for body style)

Debbie Carroll

Colorado Dress Stores:

Mariel

The Bridal Collection (Prom and Homecoming focused)

Something New Boutique (Prom focused)

Online:

Rent The Runway

Facebook Pages - Lots of pageant resale pages

Then once you have style down - shopping online becomes easier.  Most people have to alter the dress closer to the pageant anyway so buying online for a great price is a great avenue.  

Mrs. American Pageant with Sylvia (Copy)

Emily Stark ·

After 10 amazing days of pageant week in Las Vegas, we are home recuperating from all fun and excitement of competing for national titles.  Although exciting it was emotional and physically draining.  This experience was a chance of a lifetime for me! I am so honored to share this journey with my sister queens Mrs. Colorado Nicole Covney and Miss for Colorado Juliet Abdel.  At age 61, I competed with women young enough to be my daughters. I am so proud to represent the baby boomers, the underrepresented. Making it to the top 15 And winning the Fitness Award was extremely humbling.  To God be the Glory!

Team Colorado made a strong presence!  Congratulations to Mrs. Colorado America-Nicole Covney for placing in top 15 and best whimsical costume; and Miss Colorado for America-Juliet Abdel she placed in top 6.  Way to go Team Colorado. Thank you, ladies, for your friendship and support.  2020 was a year of uncertainties and we navigated our reign together. I truly feel we developed a lifetime bond of sisterhood.

Dresses for Sale

Emily Stark ·

Want a dress for your pageant? Grab a dress and do your part to be ecofriendly -

Have a dress to post - text JPG photo of you in dress, designer, size, price, your contact email & cell number.

If you want a dress, contact seller.

Please donate something to Victoria’s Voice if you sell your dress on this platform.

2025 Pageant Kick Off Party and Dress Sale

Emily Stark ·

Let's gather and kick off the 2025 pageant season. If you are interested in participating, come check it out. If you have secured your city title, come grab your banner and goodies!

Do you have spare dresses in your closet and need them to move to a new home? Connect with Mrs. Colorado 2020 - Nicole Covney. Why buy new when you can get a dress for a steal of a deal? Text Nicole to sell your dresses - 720-840-6872

Need a dress? Come shop - you do not need to be participating to come shop for your prom dress, homecoming, or pageant dress. The more the merrier!

Tickets go onsale February 1

Emily Stark ·

Two pageant to watch:

Preliminary Pageant - April 4, 2024 at Legacy Campus at 6:00 PM

Tickets online link via www.mrscolorado.com/theshow

What happens: You watch all ladies in swimsuit & gown - the scores determine the semi-finalists for Saturday night.

Pageant - April 6, 2024 at Ellie Caulkins Opera House in DPAC at 6:00 pm

You will see all contestants on both stages!

Mrs. Colorado American heads to the Stock Show with Ms. Senior Colorado 2023

Emily Stark ·

The National Western Stock Show. A Colorado institution……

I was invited by a new friend (Cindy Burgess) and decided to make of it an opportunity to love up on my fellow Coloradoans as one of their state titleholders! So I did just that, and had a blast.

FYI - Years ago one of my side hustles included doing security work for Argus and I used to work the stock show every year and loved it. It was lovely to revisit that joy today. Thanks again, Cindy Burgess, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Ms. Senior Colorado, Joanie Ryan, one of my newest and sweetest friends was also in attendance to bring the love. We really just had a lovely girls day out!

Mrs Colorado American, 2023

Join Bethany in Move through the Darkness

Emily Stark ·

Move through the Darkness Challenge

What: Move Through the Darkness is a collaboration between Imagine Zero of Weld County and Windsor Gives to provide you with an opportunity to focus on your mental, emotional, and physical health. Losing daylight, self-care time, and healthy habits can lead to a feeling of hopelessness, depression, sleeping too much, low energy, and ultimately an increase in suicide rates nationwide.

Start Date: Friday, December 1, 2023 

End Date: Wednesday, January 31, 2024

Team Name: Unity in Purpose 

Team: Bethany Norman

Type: Activity - 150 Team Hours

Join Team Here: https://runsignup.com/Race/Register/RaceGroup-1439488?raceId=138128

Email questions to Bethany: unityinpurpose@gmail.com