Mis - Teen Colorado Kristy Althaus

Kristy Althaus is known for winning the Miss Teen Colorado title (state teen pageant) in the early 2000s. This study summarizes her background, the pageant context, the cultural significance of teen pageants in Colorado and the U.S., and the potential impacts and trajectories for titleholders like Althaus.

Kristy Althaus first entered the public eye as a fresh-faced, ambitious young woman. In 2012, she competed in the Miss Colorado Teen USA pageant. She was articulate, poised, and photogenic, eventually securing the title of Second Runner-Up. In the pageant world, placing in the top three is a significant achievement, often serving as a springboard to future opportunities, modeling contracts, or future pageant successes. For Althaus, it seemed like a bright future in the public eye was just beginning.

However, just a short time later, Althaus became the center of a media firestorm that would effectively erase her from the pageant’s official history.

The controversy began when an adult video was released by a major adult film studio. The video featured a woman who was unmistakably identified as Kristy Althaus. The juxtaposition was jarring: a woman who had just been celebrated on a stage meant to represent "wholesome" American youth values was now appearing in a hardcore adult film. Mis Teen Colorado Kristy Althaus

The story of Kristy Althaus is not just about a beauty queen or an adult film star; it is about the clash between modern realities and traditional institutions. It raises difficult questions that society still grapples with: Do we own our achievements, or can they be revoked if we fail to live up to a specific image? Is it fair to judge a woman’s entire worth based on her sexual choices?

While the Miss Teen Colorado organization may have wiped her name from their records, the story of Kristy Althaus remains permanently etched in the history of pageant controversies—a symbol of the high cost of deviating from the expected path.

Kristy Althaus won the Miss Colorado Teen USA title in 1987. Her victory remains a significant moment in the state's pageant history, representing a decade of big hair, bold fashion, and the rising cultural influence of the Miss Universe Organization. Kristy Althaus is known for winning the Miss

The 1987 Miss Colorado Teen USA pageant was held in the spring of that year. At the time, the Miss Teen USA system was still relatively young, having only been established in 1983. Althaus competed against dozens of young women from across the Centennial State, eventually securing the crown through a combination of poise, interview skills, and stage presence.

Following her state win, Althaus traveled to El Paso, Texas, to compete in the 1987 Miss Teen USA pageant. The national event was televised on CBS and hosted by Bob Barker. While Althaus did not take home the national title—which was won by Kristi Addis of Mississippi—she represented Colorado with distinction during a highly competitive year for the organization.

The late 1980s marked a specific aesthetic for the pageant world. Althaus and her peers competed in an era defined by: Heavy shoulder pads and sequins Voluminous, hairsprayed hairstyles The "glamour" photography style A focus on traditional poise and formal evening wear In 2012, she competed in the Miss Colorado Teen USA pageant

Beyond the stage, the role of Miss Teen Colorado during this era involved community service and public appearances. Titleholders like Althaus often served as ambassadors for local charities, participated in parades, and acted as role models for younger girls throughout the state.

While Althaus did not pursue a long-term career in the public eye after her reign, her name remains synonymous with the 1987 pageant class. She joined a sisterhood of Colorado titleholders who helped build the foundation for the state’s continued success in the Miss USA and Miss Teen USA systems.

If you'd like to learn more about this era of pageantry, I can find:

The full list of winners from the 1987 Miss Teen USA pageant Information on how the pageant has changed since the 80s Details on current Miss Colorado Teen USA requirements