Kick of Dinner for 2018 Contestants

We know one of the most treasured gifts from participating in the pageant is the support system and friendships developed.  We are ready to kick off these relationships early this year by hosting a Limited Seating Dinner - Tacos Tequila Whiskey.  For the currently signed up 2018 contestants, please RSVP to us - admin@mrscoloradoamerica.com and we will send you information about the dinner.   You must be signed up to attend this event.  

We will be hosting other events that are open to the public but this one is exclusively for contestants. 

Dress for your body shape

All the former Mrs. CO America queens have different body types - just like when you are choosing the wedding dress of your dreams, you want a dress that looks beautiful on your body.  Sometimes we fall in love with a dress that is in a picture but the reality comes crashing down when we try on the dress because we have a different body type than the model wearing the dress in the photo.  Here are a few tips when choosing an evening gown:

1. Try the dress on your body.  Do not buy a dress online because the model looks incredible in the dress.  Unless you have the exact same body type and skin tone, the dress will look different. Get in the dress.

2. Follow the basic dress rules.  Some body styles look better in certain dress cuts.  Follow the rules 80% of the time and you will not go wrong. 

3. Keep the focus on you and not the dress.  Sometimes a dress over powers the gal in the dress.  You want to eyes of the judges to stay on you not the dress.  We call that the dress wore the girl vs. the other way around.  

4. You must feel beautiful.  You can ask everyone's opinion but if you do not feel like a million dollars in the dress, you never will.  Once you are onstage, you are the only person who can 'sell' the look so you must love it.  That is how ladies win a dress that sometimes people do not like - it's because they 'sold' the dress/look/themselves to the judges. 

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble to dance at Pageant

ANNOUNCEMENT: Dream come true moment. We are honored to announce - Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble will be dancing at the 2017 Mrs. Colorado America Pageant. #mrspageant #mrsdream#cleoparkerdance 
To buy tickets find link on - www.mrscoloradoamerica.com

Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble is internationally esteemed as one of America’s foremost modern dance companies.   Under the direction of Cleo Parker Robinson, the Ensemble performs a dynamic body of works inspired by the African American experience and rooted in ethnic and modern dance traditions worldwide. Legendary and emerging artists alike are drawn by the spirit of the company to create works that transcend the boundaries of culture, class and age while unequivocally communicating the complexity of the human condition.  Seen by an estimated 2,000,000 fans throughout the United States and more than 20 countries on five continents, CPRDE continues to be a leader in dance innovation and the promotion of American dance heritage.

Could you be crowned on April 8, 2017?

Mrs. America!

My Mrs. America experience began with a farewell dinner for my husband and love of my life.  After all, I wouldn't be a Mrs and a mom without him. Heartfelt thanks to Robert Gitre of Epicurean catering and Mario Reid from Mangia Bevi for helping me to pull off a very special evening.

Next, I was treated to a fun evening and send-off party by my Mrs. Colorado America queen sisters. I was seriously not expecting to be showered with so many wonderful gifts, especially the Poopouri :).  Above all, their words of advice and support meant the world to me and prepared me well for the days ahead.

The Mrs. Colorado America Legacy.

This stuff is a MUST have in EVERY bathroom!

Then I was off! The Mrs. America pageant was hosted at the beautiful Westgate Hotel. When I arrived, I could hardly contain myself as I was SO anxious to meet my AMAZING and GORGEOUS roommate Heather Fronk, Mrs. Ohio America!! Can I just say that she is even more beautiful on the inside? I absolute adore her. 

Next, it was time to meet all the other state delegates at the orientation dinner. It was so fun to finally meet the amazing ladies I had been talking to on our private FB page for weeks. 

Our official picture.

Our orientation table.

I came to really love each and every one of these ladies. Each one of the delegates were incredibly inspirational to me as wives, mothers, business owners, and in all that they did in their communities. I have to say, I was intimidated by all of them!

LOVE my Delaware and Alaska!

Mormon girls unite! The only person missing is our very own Mrs. America, Natalie Luttmer.

I am proud to say I named Mrs. Kentucky, Derby. Now, she will always be our Derby girl.

The most beautiful woman I have EVER met. My Mrs. Minnesota Melissa Brenny.

It was quite the honor to meet the reigning Mrs. America Madeline Gwen and Mrs. World, Candace Abrams. These women are STUNNING!

The week continued as we presented our state gifts to David and Jackie Siegel, owners of the Westgate Hotel and to America's TV mom, Florence Henderson. 

The head wrap I am wearing is a traditional South African head piece given to each of us by Candace, Mrs. World.

One of my favorite parts of the week was the gift exchange where we each gave one another a gift that represented our state. My gift included SOCKS of course, Copper Mountain Ski Resort beanies and a Starling pin representing the motto of 'Together We Are More' from Kempe Foundation . 

After several days of bonding and fun, things got real when it became time for the interview!

The interview went surprisingly fast and was very enjoyable. Each of the judges were friendly and extremely comfortable to talk to, and I came out feeling very happy and confident that I had done well.  Before I knew it, it was SHOW TIME! Eek!

For my state costume, I chose to represent the Denver Mint as Walking Liberty on the Silver Eagle Coin. My coin didn't turn out like I was hoping, but it worked well enough. The costumes from all the state delegates were AMAZING and VERY creative. 

Next was the swimsuit and evening gown competition. I was originally going to wear my white MacDugall but opted for my champagne Walter Mendez instead. 

In the end, I did not place but that's ok because each of the women who DID deserved to be standing right where they were. I walked away with a heart filled with gratitude just to be able to represent my state of Colorado on a national stage and meet new friends for a life time.

I am so grateful to my coach, Lisa Dean for guiding me and building me up in preparation for my interview, and to my sister queen Nicki Myers for her constant support.

Having the love and support of these amazing friends, who are my family, touched me deeply. Thanks you guys for being there for me always.

Although I didn't leave Vegas with a new crown, I did leave with a publication award, 51 new friends, cherished memories, and a suitcase of full of brand new baby socks (which I was able to donate to Children's Hospital in Denver in their behalf). Yes, each delegate brought me infant socks in their suitcases, FOR ME. I mean, who does that?

My cherished friends from the Sock It To Em Sock Campaign foundation. Look at all the baby socks we got Phillis and Sue!

I was very surprised and happy that my ad page received the 1st place publication award.

I really truly loved my experience at Mrs. America. Even though I was completely exhausted every day and literally got maybe 3 hours of sleep each nite, I wouldn't have traded my time at nationals for anything. I came home a tired but better person because of it. 

There are SO many people to thank, and I am quite certain I will be spending several months if not years thanking each person who helped me along the way.  At the top of this list are: 

*Melyn Campbell and Limitless Worldwide,LLC for being my biggest supporters for many years and for being my official product and AD sponsor.

*Diane Lessnau of Soignee for my gorgeous evening gowns.

*Rooted Boutique and Yera Brand for my fashion wear for the week.

*Courtney Graham for letting me borrow your closet of dresses and suitcases.

*Erica Kumar for your inspiration, friendship, and jewelry!

*Daniel McDermott and Kari Kisch for my hair and makeup and for being there for me at any hour I needed.

*Lonnie Somers and Fetal Health Foundation for your generous donation, support, and friendship always.

*Scott Farish and Bravura Health for your generous donation, support, and friendship and for being the best neighbors ever.

*Phillis Shimamoto and Susan Lee for the darling delegate socks from the Sock It To Em Sock Campaign and for your friendship and support.

*Copper Mountain Ski Resort for donating 51 winter beanies.

*Victoria Gartelos and John Faught from the Kempe Foundation for the Starling pins. #togetherwearemore

*My daughter Alexa Nofsinger for being an incredibly supportive and wonderful daughter who took care of her siblings all week long so that I could be gone for a week.

Lastly to finish where I started, I thank my best friend, my soul mate, and my belayer for life, for being by my side always and for supporting me 100% in everything I have EVER done.

You can't be crowned without signing up first

Your personal invitation

Mrs. Colorado America Pageant Open House This Friday

So many fun people are set to attend our Pageant Open House this Friday. Come check us out. 

Friday September 30, 2016

Time: 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Location: 11020 S. Pikes Peaks Dr. Second Floor Parker CO 80138

Dress: We will be in business dress attire - come as you are.

We will be giving an evening gown away to one lucky attendee! Come and see how you can walk away with an evening gown.

Our Fun Peeps that will be joining us:

The Original Sewing Room - Pageant Shoes 

All Things Crowned - Interview Dresses

Rooted Boutique - Fun Casual Clothing

Soignée - Evening Gowns

Graphique Fine Art Photography 

Watch this Friday Colorado & Co.

Mrs. Colorado America, Erica Shields, will be live on Colorado & Co. on Channel 9 at 10:00 AM with Denise Plante.  Erica will share more information about the upcoming Purple Stride Pancreatic Cancer walk scheduled for June 26 and how you make a difference. 

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.