Journey to the title by Mrs. Colorado 2011

I still can't believe it when I hear it, let alone when I say it.  I am the current Mrs. Colorado 2011.

It is crazy to think it all started four years ago with a simple "bucket" list I had created for myself, a way of rediscovery after having my third and final child.

I am so glad I took on the challenge and stepped out of my comfort zone to compete for the title of Mrs. Colorado.
The first year I competed, I stepped into a very unknown world.  I had never competed in a pageant before. I grew up playing competitive sports.

As the week of the pageant drew near I was excited, nervous, and a little scared, OK incredibly scared!

I had no expectations for myself and had decided early on to just have fun and enjoy the ride.

Boy did I enjoy the ride!!

There were so many things I loved about that weekend:

  • I met and bonded with so many amazing women, many of which I am still friends with today.

  • I was able to get pampered, get dressed up, and be apart of a fabulous production.

  • I set a goal, worked hard, and achieved it.

  • I was given the opportunity to self reflect and become reacquained with ME.

 and  finally...

  • Girls weekend....need I say more!

Just like there is nothing like your first year of college, or your first child, there will never be another experience like my first year competing in the Mrs. Colorado pageant.  It only took one time and I was hooked and so began my quest for the title of Mrs. Colorado.

It has taken four years, but it has been worth every penny, every struggle, and every memory.   It has helped make me the person I am today and I wouldn't take back any of those years. 

I am so incredibly honored to represent the amazing married women of Colorado.

 

I am excited to share my year with you all.  I will be posting often and catching up soon, on all my latest events, appearances and more.

2021 queens - Mrs. Colorado - Mrs. Colorado America - Miss Co for America Strong

Mrs. Colorado® and National Infertility Awareness Week

Mrs. Colorado® and National Infertility Awareness Week

With no rest after being crowned, I went straight to work advocating for family-building during National

Infertility Awareness Week (April 24 – 28).

To kick off the week, my family and I joined other advocates from Colorado Fertility Advocates at the

Civic Center building to watch it light up orange (the color of infertility awareness). It didn’t go as

planned and there was a reschedule/redo at the end of the week which we couldn’t make. Regardless, it

was incredible to start NIAW week with so many other passionate individuals doing the work.

Tuesday, April 25, was a big day! That was Resolve, The National Infertility Association, Advocacy Day. It

is an annual day where participants across the states are scheduled to meet with their local

representatives to share their stories and create awareness for expanded family-building coverage. This

was my third year participating in Advocacy Day and my second year in a row as Colorado State Captain.

It’s an honor to lead this day and I see it as a privilege to get time with representatives who want to

make changes for all constituents in their state. This year we met with the offices of: Sen. Michael

Bennet, Rep. Ken Buck, Rep. Lauren Boebert, Rep. Diana DeGette, Sen. John Hickenlooper, and Rep

Brittany Pettersen.

National Infertility Awareness week might have passed, but you will continue to see me sharing my

voice, listening to the community’s storied, and being an advocate for the community that gave my

husband and me more than we could have ever imagined (our son, AJ).

If you know of anyone needing family-building support or there is an organization I can lend a hand in

amplifying the cause, please do not hesitate to reach out.

2023 Pageant is in the books!

Visit the 2023 Pageant Photos to see a collection of the Class of 2023!

An Alzheimer’s champion among ‘African Americans Who Make a Difference’

Sylvia Waller has made a difference in many people’s lives. She was a care provider for her father as his Alzheimer’s disease progressed. Using the lessons learned as inspiration, she has served as a community volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association, leading community education classes and using her platform as Mrs. Colorado 2022 to raise awareness of the risk the disease poses to the Black community.

Now, the Aurora resident is serving as a role model. She has been recognized by the National Council of Negro Women, Denver Section. It’s just the latest honor for Waller, who was name one of the African Americans Who Make a Difference by the Denver Urban Spectrum.

“Sylvia Waller knows first-hand the challenges of caregiving for her father without support and resources before his passing in 2017,” said Rosalyn Reese, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the Alzheimer’s Association of Colorado. “We appreciate how she has used her pageantry platform as a meaningful opportunity to raise awareness and connect people to resources the Alzheimer’s Association offers, and congratulate her on this well-deserved recognition.” 

Waller has made Alzheimer’s education a personal cause. Recognizing that Black Americans have double the risk of developing the fatal disease that Whites do, she has become an evangelist, bringing information to her community.

“That higher risk is intriguing to me,” Waller said. “My doctor said that my blood pressure and blood sugar were up and could create issues for me. I changed my diet. I exercise. If you’re at higher risk for developing dementia, at least do your part to maintain a healthy body and you can fight against it better.”

Waller added that learning about the valuable educational programs and support groups available through the Alzheimer’s Association can make a big difference in the approach caregivers take to the disease and helping their own family.

“I felt very much alone,” she said. “There’s help available, including helping caregivers understand the importance of self-care so they can be there for their loved one. You don’t have to do this alone.”

To learn more about the information, programs and services offered at no charge by the Alzheimer's Association, go to alz.org or call the Association’s free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.

Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.

https://www.alz.org/co/news/an-alzheimers-champion-among-african-americans-who

Need hair and Make Up Options?

You can get dolled up for pageant weekend many different ways!

Here are a few options to help if you need the resources.

Tori Apodaca with Ivory Med Spa - Tori has been doing makeup for contestants and the queens for years.

Blush - They have different stylists at different price points special for the pageant contestants.

2023 Host Hotel Selected

We have officially selected the host hotel for 2023 pageant. The hotel is walking distance from the Saturday nights Ellie Caulkins Opera House in the Denver Performings Arts Complex. Activities prior to the Saturday night pageant are at the hotel. You are welcome to stay at Magnolia A Trubute Hotel pageant weekend.

Link to book room

November from your Mrs. Colorado 2022

Giving Thanks! November is the beginning of the holiday season! It is this month, and every

month we should reflect on the many blessings given. I am thankful for my family, God’s

provision, my life, and every ach and pain because it means I’m still here for a purpose. Life can

constantly take you off course and you’re anxiously trying to find your way back. During this

journey we often neglect to see the beauty and the lessons along the way. There is joy in Every

situation, and we can’t lose sight of that!

God has created each and every one of us with intent and purpose. To find true happiness we

must pursue God’s purpose for our life by spending quiet time alone in prayer and meditation.

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give

you hope and a future” ~ Jeramiah 29:11

In our efforts to repair the wounds of our divisive and hostel climate remember LOVE concurs

all. Love is your superpower! Tis the season to share your heart with others; a prayer, a smile,

a hug and sometimes a simple gesture of; I see you or I hear you, can make a huge difference in

someone’s life.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all! And enjoy your time with your beautiful families!

Opening Number Dress Options

We are already choosing the opening number dress for the pageant production. Did you know you do not have to dance in the opening number? Yes, that is correct. We have contestants walk on stage and hire professionals to dance!

Should we go with this dress?