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 51 st 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-

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