2016 Pageant Photos

The 2016 pageant photos are on the website.  Find your favorite titleholder and post her to your social media sites.   Thank you again to all our sponsors, volunteers and sister queens for making a memorable weekend for all.

Walk for a great cause - Pancreatic Cancer

Thank you to everyone who is joining our team! Please share this with your family and friends so we can get everyone involved. Also watch Erica Sharp Shields Mrs. Colorado on Friday June 10 on Colorado & Company and June 24 on Colorado Best to promote the walk!  If you can't make the walk, we would love your financial support. 

Join our team or donate here

Celebrating 40 years of Mrs. Colorado America History

The former Mrs. Colorado America celebrating 40 years of our rich history. 

Photo taken by Graphique Fine Art Photography - Megan Anderson

Visit our photographer - Megan Anderson with Graphique Fine Art Photography 

Former Mrs. Colorado new Beauty Editor for Hat Trick Magazine

From Mina Muirhead - Mrs. Colorado 2013 - As many of you know I've had a lot of changes and new opportunities in the last few months. One of these is becoming the Beauty Editor for Hat Trick magazine! My first article is an introduction of myself and musings of my recent life and career transformations. The magazine is devoted to the life, career and health of women. I hope you enjoy it!

Check her out on Page 58.

The Children's Hospital Visit

So proud to be associated with my beautiful queen sisters, Children’s Hospital Colorado, Fetal Health Foundation and the Marc Jr. Foundation - DIPG. The care given here for these children and their families is incredible and awe-inspiring. Please join us as we continue our effort to provide services, raise awareness, and advocate for much needed research funding.

Axl Academy Appearance

A great time talking to the youth at Axl Academy about what it means to be a role model and what it takes to fulfill a dream with Mrs. Denver - Lea Porter and Mrs. Colorado America - Erica Shields.

Fay Myers Motorcycle World Appearance

A great day at Fay Myers Motorcycle World

A few pictures from Parker Wine Walk

Rose and Erica

Join Us on Friday May 27 at Parker Wine Walk

Finally, it's that time of year! The first Parker Wine Walk will be happening the last Friday of this month.  Please plan on coming to the Parker Wine Walk where you can meet some of the 2016 Contestants.  

Victorian Peaks Building - 11020 S. Pikes Peak Dr. First Floor Parker CO 80138

Beautiful Note from Erica's Husband

Sitting in a hotel room in St. Louis...missing my family.

I’ve known Erica for almost 20 years. One of my first memories of her was when she literally gave me the shirt off her back. 

Almost 15 years ago Erica asked me to ride with her on the Slickrock mountain bike trail in Moab, UT. Accustomed to the buttery-smooth, flowing single track trails surrounding Park City, the unforgiving sandstone and steep grades were intimidating and frightening to her this first time on Slickrock. During the ride, I watched her progress from slowly creeping down the hills, tense and white knuckled, and having to push her bike up the next incline to slowly allowing the bike to roll down with increasing speed, and her ability to climb the next grade increased. Over the course of two hours, I watched as her confidence grew to where she would descend with enough speed to allow momentum to carry her much of the way up the next hill. We were just friends at the time but I was so impressed by her courage to overcome the obvious fear she was feeling and her drive to master the trail before her. 

Almost 14 years ago I was following Erica when I jumped off a 30-foot cliff after her into a small, shallow pool of water in a slot canyon somewhere outside Moab, UT. Thus began our promise to each other; “I go where you go.” It wasn't long after that I made the smartest jump of my life and “wifed” her. 

I’ve watched my wife take another amazing ride over the last three years as she began a journey much like her first ride on Slickrock. A bit apprehensive but totally committed, she slowly started a fitness journey that was at times overwhelming and intimidating. As she has progressed I’ve seen the confidence grow with each new success. She realized a life-long dream of competing in a fitness show, she has started her own business, she is a health consultant to a health-supplement company. Just as she learned to use speed and momentum on the Slickrock trail, she has learned to build upon each success and has come to rely on the “momentum” of the many wonderful friends she has met along the way. 

We’ve been married now almost 13 years but I am more and more amazed by this woman - by her courage, her drive, and her commitment to anything she sets her mind to. She has faced many challenges in her life but she has never used them as an excuse. 

What is most amazing is that with each challenge overcome and each bit of success achieved, her desire to reach out to others has increased. She feels she has been greatly blessed and feels a responsibility pay it forward and pay it back those who have placed so much trust in her and shown her so much love and support. I guess I shouldn’t be all that amazed. After all, she once gave me the shirt off her back...

My wife by the numbers…

5... decades
4... children
3... degrees
2… x adopted
1...title of Mrs. Colorado America 

I love you Bear!

One proud husband

Incredible Weekend!

The 2016 Mrs. Colorado Pageant is done!  With many new friends made, memories created and awards for accomplishments.  Thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers for making the weekend a huge success. 

Mrs. Colorado 2016 - Erica Shields

1st Runner Up - Megan Sharp (Please remember to vote for her in the national Fabulous Faces Vote this summer so she can also be at Mrs. America Pageant with Erica. 

2nd Runner Up - Valerie Daly

3rd Runner Up - Amanda Goodman

4th Runner Up - Bree Ebbinghaus

5th Runner Up - Corrie Francis

Keep checking back as we share more award winners from pageant weekend. 

Are you making a difference?

The Mrs. Colorado America Organization and current state finalists would like to invite you to walk/run with us in the PurpleStride Denver on June 26.  PurpleStride is the signature event of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Each year, in communities across the country, tens of thousands of people participate in more than fifty-six PurpleStride events, including PurpleStride Denver. These events are critical in raising awareness and funds that advance research and support patients and loved ones with a promise of a better tomorrow.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is blazing new trails in the fight against pancreatic cancer. Join us for PurpleStride Denver and together we will continue to rewrite the book on how to fight this deadly disease.We have set up a group called Mrs. Colorado America Pageant Queens!  Come out for a fun morning supporting a great cause.  We would love to have you join us.  If walking isn't possible this year, please feel free to donate funds to our team.  

http://purplestride.kintera.org/denver/stark

Colorado Aromatics

If you live in Colorado, you probably enjoy many outdoor activities. Did you know that even if you wear sunscreen, exposure to the sun results in skin damage and photoaging. We live in a state where the outdoor lifestyle is a given. I spend a good deal of my time in the summer both hiking and farming as well as going to outdoor festivals. Mrs. Longmont, Beth Samples, tells me she gets outside for long walks, gardening as well as enjoying the great summer festivals we have in downtown Longmont.

Being outdoors has many health benefits, including boosting vitamin D levels, and we should enjoy time outside daily. However, if you spend a lot of time outside you may have noticed how it affects your skin. Exposure to the sun and the environment induces free radical formation which accelerates photoaging. UV radiation causes degradation of collagen and elastic fibers of the matrix causing loss of elasticity and wrinkle formation.

Colorado Aromatics Cultivated Skin Care formulates products for the Colorado lifestyle using the power of both herbs and science. This natural skin care line incorporates a wide range of botanical antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to help decrease the negative effects of sun and weather on the skin.

Colorado Aromatics is happy to be a sponsor of the 40th Annual Mrs. Colorado America Pageant. We have donated our Meadow Mist Face Cleanser to each contestant. We know Mrs. Colorado America contestants must be at the top of their game. They have to be the best they can be physically, mentally, emotionally as well as have glowing skin. Colorado Aromatics skin are products can help her look her best with the knowledge that she is using a natural and sustainable product.

We live in a great state full of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Colorado Aromatics wants to make sure you stay at the top of your game and can enjoy this lifestyle without having to worry about skin damage. You can see our products at www.coloradoaromatics.com. For more information you can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.  You can also visit our website for more information on products for the Colorado Climate at http://www.coloradoaromatics.com.

We are wishing all contestants the best of luck and hope you have a wonderful experience.

Fabulous Faces

You can vote your favorite contestant into the Top 6 at this years pageant! How you might ask?  Vote for her in the Fabulous Faces Competition.  Each vote is $2 and profits go to Victoria's Voice Foundation.  Get your tickets to find out who is crowned on April 16, 2016. 

Mrs. Colorado America Contestants to Attend Colorado Rockies Baseball Game

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Mrs. Colorado America Contestants to Attend Colorado Rockies Baseball Game

Denver, Colorado - January 28, 2016 - This year's baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants at Coors Field in Denver is set to be hugely popular - with many more than just their regular, faithful supporters in attendance! The game, which takes place on April 13, 2016, will be attended by some of the most beautiful women in Colorado, as the current state finalists for Mrs. Colorado America and some of the former titleholders come along to relax and enjoy the game.

Tickets for the game are on sale now using the promo code: COLORADO from the Colorado Rockies official website. Fans would be well-advised to act fast if they want to snap up a ticket to what looks set to be a fun, lively, and entertaining event. Mette Castor, Mrs. Colorado America 2015, will open proceedings by singing the National Anthem, and throughout the evening, there will be live interviews with former and current Mrs. Colorado America titleholders. Fans will be able to share the same seating section as some of the women, and will have an opportunity to meet and chat with them in between innings.

The pageant contestants and former title holders have a busy spring ahead of them, with the Mrs. Colorado America Pageant taking place during the same week as the Colorado Rockies versus San Francisco Giants game. The Mrs. Colorado America competition is the official state preliminary to the Mrs. America and Mrs. World pageants, so you could go so far as to say that some of the most stunning married women in the world will be at the game to cheer the Rockies on.

If you are not lucky enough to be able to purchase a ticket to the Rockies game, perhaps you will be able to get a ticket to the pageant that will be taking place this year at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performing Arts Complex in Denver. Details of the 40th anniversary Mrs. Colorado America Pageant, which takes place on Saturday, the 16th of April 2016 at 7.00 pm, can be found on their website and Facebook page. The annual event is the foremost respected pageant for married women in the U.S., its mission being to inspire women to seek personal excellence through preparation and competition. It will certainly be exciting to be able to join the ladies on their journey as they represent their communities in seeking to be crowned Mrs. Colorado America!

Contact: Emily Stark 303-593-1199

Mrs. America Part One

Mrs. America.  Mrs. AMERICA!!  Since April 18th when I was fortunate enough to become Mrs. Colorado America 2015, the mystery surrounding when and where the Mrs. America pageant would be held actually became part of my reality.  To be fair, up until just a few weeks before that night I was blissfully unaware that there was any uncertainty regarding the subject at all.  I figured Tucson at the end of August – just like the last few years.  I remember someone mentioning it to me in passing (apparently they thought I knew!) and the feeling of not being quite able to fully catch my breath.  RUSSIA?!?  They’re planning on having Mrs. AMERICA in RUSSIA?!?  Aside from the obvious question of WHY? And the concerns that come with figuring out (hypothetically) how in the world I would ever make the logistics of that work, my most pressing concern was what in the world Bill would say to that one!  I mean think about it, if you have young children that isn’t something that could necessarily be figured out easily.  Maybe if you have grandparents or other family that live close it wouldn’t be quite as challenging, but we don’t.  My parents are in Texas and Bill’s mom is in North Carolina.  Rumor had it that the state representatives would be there for two weeks or more.  Besides, I’m pretty sure it’s frowned upon to leave your 4, 6 and 8 year-olds with pizza money and a ride to and from school.  So my solution was to not get ahead of myself – it may not even be something I would need to concern myself with anyway.  I chose to focus on April 18th and if I won on that night, then I would worry about it.  And mention it to Bill.

Fast forward to April 18th and there I stood with a beautiful banner (my goodness, I do LOVE a pretty banner!) and a shiny tiara and I had a voice of panic in head because as Bill approached me with flowers I could hear the voice yelling, “Oh no!!  Russia!!   I’m going to have to tell Bill about Russia!!”  Unbeknownst to me, someone casually mentioned the whole Russia thing to him while he was standing backstage.  Oops.  I vaguely remember him saying something about it to me almost immediately after telling me how much he loved me.  I used the excitement and chaos of the moment to postpone the discussion.  NOW the possibility of traveling to Russia for the Mrs. America pageant was a reality – MY reality.  Cue the shallow breaths and minor panic.  Moderate panic.  Thank goodness for Emily and Shalon.  They advised me not to get ahead of myself since nothing had actually been confirmed yet and not to focus on it until we knew something for sure.  As it turned out, we waited until July to find out we would be staying stateside.  So in the meantime I (along with my fellow Mrs. America class) lived in a bit of a state of limbo.  While that presented some challenges, we just enjoyed the process of planning and preparing for Mrs. America….whenever and wherever that would eventually be. 

There is an unlisted, yet incredibly valuable prize you get when you become Mrs. Colorado America – it’s your Mrs. Ohio sister.  It may sound cliché, but it’s true.  Ashley Starling is Mrs. Ohio 2015 and she is the. Best. Ever.  From the very first phone conversation we had I knew that she was going to be a friend well beyond this one year.  You can’t imagine how comforting it was to know that someone else was worried about the same things I was.  And then some!  Ashley is not only fabulous, she’s Jake’s mom, Jason’s wife and an attorney.  All of a sudden I realized that my worries about scheduling and what I would do with my boys should I find myself in Russia, paled in comparison to worrying about how to schedule court hearings when you don’t know whether you be in town…..or the continent.  Ashley helped keep me sane and although I guess technically some people might think we were “competitors”, we simply became girlfriends.  And I still have a gown of hers, but that’s another story…..

Thanks to Jessica, Mrs. New York, my fellow sisters and I quickly found each other on Facebook and formed a closed group where we could all get to know each other.  We asked questions, got opinions, asked for and gave advice, celebrated successes and defeats, frustrations, fears, bad hair days, funny appearance stories, even funnier stories about our children, and sadly the resignation of one of us – only to be joined by her sweet and adorable successor.  And we shared our anxiety about the uncertainty of what was happening with the national pageant.  Believe it or not, we got to know each other pretty well.  I already knew I loved Ashley, but it turns out I fell in love with 50 other women.  It was announced in July that we would not be going to Russia, but it was well into August before the date and location of Mrs. America was finally announced:  we would be going to Las Vegas from September 19-25.  The only thing that alleviated the panic of worrying about whether everything would be ready in time, was sharing the experience with those women.  We weren’t competing against each other, we were competing with each other – as a team.  A team where only one of us would “win”, but all of us would walk away with the prize.  Jessica’s costume was delayed in Dubai (fancy, I KNOW!!!) and we all celebrated with her the day it showed up on US soil.  There was a huge problem with Beth’s wardrobe and without hesitation many of us offered up gowns, shoes, jewelry…whatever she needed – and this was before any of us had ever even met in person.  I know it was clear to all of us that we were a part of something extraordinary.  My sisters are simply amazing.

I realize at the moment that I have written quite a bit so far and I haven’t even really gotten to the details and fun of discussing wardrobe selection, the drama of picking the perfect picture, or the actual event.  In an effort not to turn this blog entry into a short novel, I’m saving that part for tomorrow.  But here are a few pictures of Ashley and me - funny how we're almost always standing on the same side of each other!

Say Yes to the Dress

Welcome to The Bridal Collection! Located just 15-20 minutes south of Denver, The Bridal Collection is the premier bridal, pageant and special occasion destination in Colorado. We offer top quality products, a vast selection and a passionate and knowledgeable styling team. We love providing each bride with her perfect look!

The Bridal Collection has been in business for 15 years and we have had our prom/pageant/special occasion division for five years. Our 18,000 square foot location features 11 bridal suites and 14 spe-cial occasion suites including Mother of the Bride, bridesmaid, prom/party, and pageant. We are honored to have received the Brides Magazine Best Bridal Salon Award 2015!

Philanthropy and community involvement are two pillars of our business practice at The Bridal Collection. Last year, our store was featured on the TV show “Say Yes to the Prom,” which is modeled after the TLC hit “Say Yes to the Dress.” Say Yes to the Prom is made possible by businesses across America that donate prom dresses and jewelry to underprivileged young ladies. The organization pro-motes confidence, positive self-image and motivation and encouragement for high school girls. Last year, we were so thrilled to help 40 Denver girls receive free prom dresses, professional hair/makeup styling and the experience of a lifetime. We are excited to participate again and we are always looking to expand our philanthropic endeavors.

This November, we had the opportunity to be a part of the Denver Athletic Club’s annual fashion show to support Impact 360, a non-profit organization focused on helping young students succeed aca-demically and athletically so they can earn a college education. Impact 360 participants join as sixth grad-ers and stay through 12th grade, committing to over 3100 hours of support activities, graduating from high school and attending college. Volunteers offer their time to mentor and lend guidance and support to these very deserving kids. Each of the eight members of the Class of 2015 graduated from high school and was accepted into college; seven will start this year. It was a thrill for us to dress three of these in-credible young ladies and support such a worthy cause.

We also believe deeply in expressing gratitude to the dedicated men and women of the United States Armed Forces. Every year, our store participates in the Brides Across America Nationwide Gown Giveaway, during which we provide military brides with a free gown of their choosing. Events are held twice a year in partnership with bridal salons across the country. Deployments, financial hardships,and other challenges unique to servicemen and women can make it difficult to plan a wedding.The organiza-tion garnered the attention of ABC's Nightly News in 2011 and 2012, and People Magazine article in 2013. However, the highest honor was received during a 2012 White House event by Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden. The event recognized twenty organizations for their contributions to improving the lives of military families. Brides Across America continues to support wounded warriors, post traumatic stress and employment for veterans.

The Bridal Collection was built on the foundation of providing the best selection and unparalleled service to all of our brides and their families, but we are constantly evolving and improving who we are and what we do. For the past five years, we have had an impressive collection of special occasion, prom, homecoming and pageant apparel, but we have recently expanded in very exciting ways! Not only have we added more volume to our existing collections, but we are proud to say that we are now the only store in the state of Colorado to carry Sherri Hill Couture gowns! These gowns have graced the stages of many national pageants and are now carried exclusively at The Bridal Collection. Our clients now have access to not only the finest in bridal fashion, but the finest in pageant apparel as well! In addition to the couture brands we carry in our store, we also offer a fantastic selection of gowns, short dresses and accessories to suit any occasion and any budget. We are so proud to offer our clients hundreds of choices so that each girl can find her perfect dress. People from all over the region come to The Bridal Collection for all of their special occasion needs!

The Bridal Collection is thrilled and honored to be the official gown sponsor of the Mrs. Colorado America Pageant. We can’t wait to outfit you with an exquisite look for your competition!

Few Photos from Mrs. America Pageant - Top 15 Placement for Colorado

Send off party photos

Just a few photos from Mette's Send Off Party 

And Then There Was That Time I Looked Like A Raccoon........

Generally speaking I’m a bit of a creature of habit.  Maybe not habit so much as when I find something that works I like to stick with it.  I like the certainty of knowing what to expect.   I also like to minimize the risk of something going wrong.  I tend to plan things out and I like to throw in a few practice runs just to make sure things will (hopefully) work out the way I plan them out in my head.  Take for instance, preparing for Mrs. Colorado.  Not only did I practice walking in heels, I practiced in THE heels I would wear.  When my much anticipated gown showed up at my house I took it and practiced walking in THE gown with THE heels – and the jewelry too.  I’m driving to Mrs. America next week.  If I could take a practice drive today to know where to find a Starbucks and where to stop for the night, I would do it.

I approach my hair the same way.  I know how to do it, I like it, and for the most part it’s been the same for a long time.  If you look at pictures of me over the last fifteen years you’ll see what I mean.  I have long hair, it’s usually coming forward over my left shoulder and to the back of my right.  The amount of curl and hairspray varies, but it’s long hair that has evolved over the years while staying true to my long hair preference.  Every now and then I’ve tried something new: like in 2008 when I cut it off above the shoulders – that was great for about two weeks…..then I wanted my hair back.  Or the time my friend asked me as I stood in his house trying to decide on the minute details of a gown, how I felt about trying to put my hair over the other shoulder (gasp!).   It turned out I liked it and every now and then I live dangerously and my hair comes forward over my right shoulder.  Crazy, I know. 

1997

In a bicycle crash my hair would have protected me

2012

2014

2015

                                                                                   My hair really hasn't changed much......1997 - 2015

But sometimes change goes terribly wrong.  The summer before 8th grade I was inspired by those pretty blonde girls in the “Sun-In” ads to spray my hair (quite thoroughly I might add) with that devil spray.  There may have also been some hydrogen peroxide involved in this ill-advised experiment……..Anyway, what I was left with was something rivaling an orange crayon.   Even I could see it was a disaster.  One I was eager to undo.  Unfortunately my mom was determined to teach me a lesson, (I should probably mention here that she had forbidden me for months to do this exact thing) so she would not allow me to just dye my hair back to its original color.  The disappointing thing about my plan was not just that I had brassy orange-ish hair, but that as it grew out it looked RIDICULOUS.  This is immortalized in my 8th grade picture where I literally have hair that is two very distinct colors.  (No, I will NOT show you the picture!)  Needless to say I never made the Sun-In mistake again.

There have been plenty of times I’ve tried something new over the years.  Some turned out to be smashing successes, like the time I insisted I would not try on the “nightgown dress” my friend Gayle wanted me to try on (which became my Miss Louisiana and Miss America gown) only to fall in love with it and abandon the gown I had thought I would wear.  Yet as I mentioned above there have also been some awful and many times hilarious mishaps……..which brings me to my tribute to the raccoons of the world.

                                                                                     The nightgown dress that almost never was

Now don’t get me wrong, I like raccoons.  I find them adorable and at my previous house they would actually swim in our pool at night.  I loved it.  I loved them.  And apparently last night I looked like one.  In my defense, I didn’t actually resemble a raccoon in person – but in pictures it’s a whole different story!  The tribute began when I accepted a sample of a setting powder I’ve never used before.   Makeup is the one area where I’ll try lots of new things.  Makeup is fun.  It’s not permanent and at the end of the day you can wash it off.  It’s fabulous!  There’s really no long-term commitment.  As Mrs. America has gotten closer I have been trying new things to see if I like them and get used to using anything new that I decide I like.  Yesterday it was this darn powder.  Everything else I used was a product I regularly use.  I used this new “incredibly light diffusing and perfecting” powder (the cosmetic professional’s words, not mine!) under my eyes.  Voila!  Lovely……maybe I do look light diffused!  All day it was fine.  All night it was fine.  Until the cameras came out.  Then my Mrs. Colorado America sisters started posting the pictures from my Mrs. America sendoff party on Facebook.  I look like I have applied reflective tape under my eyes!!  In EVERY PICTURE!!  Seriously, go look.  It’s hilarious!!  People who run at night from everywhere are sending me messages asking where to get this stuff.  Not really, but that’s only because they haven’t seen the pictures yet.  No set of headlights could miss me – this stuff is better than the reflective letters on a stop sign!  Remember back in the 90’s when people would take pictures and even though they looked completely normal in person, if they took a picture their entire face looked eight shades lighter than the rest of their body?  That’s what this was – just only under my eyes.  It’s not a good look.  Take my word for it.

Calling All Raccoons!

Unfortunately I decided to try out the reflective safety powder to set the makeup under my eyes.  Take my advice: just don't do it.

Normal

This is what I usually look like in pictures. Fortunately I didn't get rid of my usual powder when I tried the new one.  The raccoon look is SO yesterday....

I guess my point is that we should always be ready to try new things.  Sometimes you discover something you love and you make it part of your routine.  And then sometimes you crack yourself up with how terribly wrong some of them go.  Sometimes laughing at yourself really is the best medicine!  I can say though that I am ever so grateful that I like to practice run everything.  I would much rather be a raccoon eyed weirdo in pictures now as opposed to next week at Mrs. America.  Today I went back to the powder I know…….and I think I’m just going to leave well enough alone.