Carole Ricotta is southern Colorado’s 2025 Silver Queen after taking first place in the annual pageant hosted by Sangre de Cristo Community Care on Sept. 17.
Ricotta was among 11 finalists from the communities of Pueblo, La Junta, Trinidad, Walsenburg and Cañon City who competed in the 51st annual Silver Queen Pageant — a tradition that honors the “wisdom, resilience, and contributions of senior women across Southern Colorado,” according to a news release.
“This tradition is about more than crowns and titles — it’s about honoring the remarkable women who have shaped our communities with their wisdom and grace,” Nicky Sanok, of Sangre de Cristo Community Care, said in the release.
This year’s winners were all Pueblo residents, with the 89-year-old Ricotta winning Silver Queen, 103-year-old Barbara Timock being named runner-up, and 95-year-old Betty Teel winning Miss Congeniality.
The other finalists of this year’s pageant were Barb Gross, Cruz Romero, Dora Hawkins, Evelyn Clifton, Helen McClure, Lori Starika, Myrna Webb, and Reba Farmer, who was honored in memory.
El Pomar Foundation, Pueblo chamber hosting recruitment event for leadership programs
El Pomar Foundation’s Elevating Leadership Development (ELD) and the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce are hosting a recruitment event on Oct. 16 for aspiring leaders.
The event will introduce interested participants to El Pomar’s ELD program and the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Pueblo program, according to a news release.
ELD provides personal and professional leadership development training and opportunities for leaders of color in Southern Colorado, as well as networking and engagement. Attendees will hear a presentation from Stella Hodgkins, El Pomar senior vice president and ELD program officer, about ELD’s offerings, and also learn about Leadership Pueblo, an annual program of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce, whose curriculum allows for networking opportunities and solution-driven discussions about issues facing the Pueblo community.
The event will present opportunities for participants to interact with ELD members and Leadership Pueblo alumni, ask questions, and obtain applications to apply to Leadership Pueblo. ELD is a free, ongoing program and provides funding assistance to third-party training programs such as Leadership Pueblo.
The recruiting event is free and open to Pueblo community members, but registration is requested. To register, visit us21.list-manage.com/survey?u=f5f82fc0f6322815f34dbe0f3&id=641fb2b98d&attribution=false
GOCO board awards $1.75M for outdoor programs in Pueblo
The Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) board recently awarded a $1.75 million grant to support outdoor recreation and nature programming for kids and families in Pueblo.
The grant is part of GOCO’s $24 million investment in the Generation Wild program, which supports 15 coalitions across Colorado that offer free or low-cost outdoor programs.
Generation Wild of the Pueblo Region will give kids and families — especially in Pueblo’s Y-Zone and Avondale neighborhoods — opportunities to enjoy nature, connect with their community, and care for the outdoors. Over the next five years, the coalition plans to engage Pueblo kids with immersive, culturally relevant outdoor programs and connect teens with paid internships in the outdoor industry, according to a GOCO news release.
The coalition will partner closely with community members, including a bilingual youth advisory council, to create relevant and accessible programs. Planned offerings include free family outdoor events, biking programs, family swim days, creek clean-ups, and farm-to-table experiences. Partners will provide transportation, equipment, and language support to reduce barriers to participation.
Villa Pueblo Senior Living culinary team crowned best in state competition
The Villa Pueblo Senior Living culinary team recently won first place at the Colorado Health Care Association (CHCA) Chef Challenge. The exciting showdown — modeled after the Food Network reality television show “Chopped” — took place at the CHCA Fall Convention in Loveland, where five teams went head-to-head in a timed cooking competition.
Villa Pueblo’s culinary trio of Executive Chef Daniel Gerson, Sous Chef James Scoggins, and their newest talent, Jojo Sulistio, wowed the judges with their creativity, presentation, and masterful use of a last-minute mystery ingredient.
Their teamwork and ability to execute under pressure earned them the coveted Chef Challenge Trophy, which they will proudly display for the next year.
“This competition was about more than just cooking — it showcased the incredible skill and passion of culinary teams within senior living communities,” Gerson said in the release. “At Villa Pueblo, food is about connection, creativity, and care. We’re honored to bring this trophy home to Pueblo.”
Pueblo Association of REALTORS honors 2025 award winners at banquet
The Pueblo Association of REALTORS recognized outstanding members and affiliates at its annual awards and installation banquet on Sept. 27. in the Occhiato Ballroom at Colorado State University Pueblo. With more than 200 people in attendance, the evening celebrated excellence, professionalism, and community service within Pueblo’s real estate industry.
This year’s award winners were:
- REALTOR® of the Year – Lorraine Glach, Keller Williams Performance Realty
- Salesperson of the Year – Leanne Whitman, RE/MAX Associates
- Rookie of the Year – Carisa Spangler, RE/MAX Associates
- Closer of the Year – Brenda Clennin, Fidelity Title
- Lender of the Year – Diane Van Buskirk, Loan Depot
- Volunteers of the Year – Cyndy Williams, RE/MAX Associates, and Dave Anderson, RE/MAX of Pueblo
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Michael Wenzl, Keller Williams Performance Realty
“These award winners embody the very best of the REALTOR® spirit commitment to excellence, ethical business practices, and service to our community,” said Casey Edwards, president of the Pueblo Association of REALTORS, in a news release. “It was inspiring to celebrate their achievements in front of more than 200 of our members, affiliates, and community partners.”
UCHealth Parkview earns top marks for sepsis care with virtual monitoring
UCHealth Parkview Medical Center is ranked in the top 10th percentile of hospitals nationwide for reducing deaths from sepsis, a life-threatening complication of infection, according to a Parkview news release.
The recognition follows the hospital’s adoption of UCHealth’s virtual sepsis monitoring system and new workflows that allow faster recognition and treatment. Parkview’s Sepsis Mortality Index has dropped significantly since the program began, reflecting how earlier detection and rapid intervention are saving lives, according to the release.
Across the UCHealth system, providers now save at least 1,000 more people each year from sepsis as compared to hospitals with average mortality rates, a fivefold increase compared to five years ago. UCHealth Parkview joined UCHealth in 2023 and the hospital is among eight UCHealth facilities in the top 10 percent of their cohorts. UCHealth hospital ranks among the nation’s top 25%.
“Treating sepsis takes coordination across pharmacy, nursing, physicians and more,” Dr. Jeffrey Shapiro, a pulmonary and critical care specialist with UCHealth Parkview, said in the release. “Virtual monitoring ensures we meet every milestone for patient recovery.”
Colorado State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition breaks sales record
The Colorado State Fair Fine Arts Exhibition broke its previous sales record during the 2025 Colorado State Fair.
A total of 67 pieces of art were sold, generating $14,737 in sales, according to a State Fair news release, overtaking the previous record set in 2023, which saw $9,378 from the sale of 57 art pieces.
“While agriculture is at its heart, we’re incredibly proud to celebrate the incredible artistry in our Fine Arts Exhibition,” Colorado State Fair General Manager Andrea Wiesenmeyer said in the release. “The Colorado State Fair is a true reflection of our state’s diverse talents that span so many categories, including impressive crafts, captivating photography, delicious pantry items, and so much more that our community has to offer. It’s a place where every Coloradan can find something to inspire and enjoy.”
The exhibition showcased 742 entries from 214 emerging and professional artists with a wide range of skills and exhibits.
