Colorado CattleWomen Executive Board

Get to know our Board!

Click on each CattleWoman to read more about us.

Kathleen

Kathleen Shoemaker, President/ANCW Rep

Kathleen's Bio

I’m Kathleen Shoemaker and I live in Canon City. Our family ranch is a cow-calf operation that was established in 1899. The cattle, and agriculture industry have always been a very important part of my life. I also own Bunk House Burgers with my sister that features grassfed beef and am proud to say that we have been in business for 10 years. It is very important to me that I continue the legacy of my mother to be active in the Cattlewomen’s Association on the local and state level. I have been a member of Fremont County Cattlewomen for 15 years and served on the CCW board as Treasurer and Vice President. I am very honored to be President of CCW and am looking forward to leading the great group of ladies that make up our executive team. I am excited for new beginnings as well as honoring those who came before us and paved our way.

Karen Karen's Bio

Karen

Karen Smith, Past President

Karen's Bio

I am a native Coloradoan, born and raised in the rural, northern mountain high country. My family has a cow-calf operation and raise Angus cattle, bison and grass hay; we sell our products directly to consumers at local farmers markets and small local store. I love sharing about agriculture, ranching, cattle, and beef with consumers so they can make that personal connection to the nutritious food we raise for them. One of my favorite things about serving in CCW and ANCW is building lifelong relationships with really wonderful cattlewomen and cattlemen around our state and country.

Debbi Debbi's Bio

Debbi

Debbi Anderson, Treasurer/Investment

Debbi's Bio

I’m Debbi Anderson from the Northwest part of the state. I’m married to Philip Anderson, who just finished his year as the Colorado Cattleman’s President. We live on the family ranch in Jackson County outside of Walden, at 8425 ft, which also is called North Park. We have a cow-calf operation of 200 mama cows. We do this with the help of our 2 sons and their families. We have 2 granddaughters that we enjoy having live next door.

Agriculture has always been an important part of our lives. I grew up in Severance with a farming family. Philip was raised on our ranch and became a Vocational Agriculture teacher. We moved back to the ranch in 1987 and have been here since. I was the librarian at North Park School along with Philip teaching Vo Ag, we did most of the ranch work on weekends and in the dark after school. We both have retired and are so happy to ranch during the week in the daylight.

Our ranch is small compared to some of the big ranches here. But, it is ours and we work hard to provide quality beef in many ways to Coloradoans and other fellow beef eaters. It is our livelihood and we believe that it is the best way of life. We know it is the best way to raise kids and to enjoy the beautiful mountainous area that we live in.

We also have the migrated wolves in our area. I would be remiss not to mention them. Most people do not know how destructive they are and what that means to the livelihoods of all the people in our area. They are wild apex predators. They kill to survive. If you think they will stay only in our area, you are mistaken. I heard it explained like this. The deadly Pine Beetle has destroyed our forests and is now traveling to the Front Range to the healthy trees. The wolves will migrate too. There was a reason that the old timers got rid of the wolves in Colorado. If you live in Colorado, you could have wolves in your area. That makes your family unsafe just like mine.

Here’s my last plea. If you happen to be visiting my beautiful area, give my friends and family the courtesy and safety they need to safely move our animals to other pastures. Just because you are only enjoying our country, that doesn’t give you the right to harm my family and friends. Treat horseback riders and their cattle as you would want yourself and your family treated. Like I said, it’s our lifestyle and we want to be around to enjoy it and see my granddaughters grow into the next generation of cattle producers.

I’m Debbi Anderson and I am a member of the North Park CattleWomen and the new treasurer for the Colorado CattleWomen. Nice to meet you.

Britt Britt's Bio

Britt

Britt Pratt, NE Quarter Rep

Britt's Bio

Hello! I am, Britty Pratt, President and founding member of Logan County CattleWomen and CCW Northeast Quarter Rep. My husband Morgan and I live southwest of Sterling with our boys Walker Morgan (8) and Hudson Allen (4). I am also a bonus mom to a beautiful adult daughter named Paige. My family owns and operates a small feedyard in Merino, where we feed cattle from all over the country. I handle all of the feedyards risk management. We calve out about 300 cows in the spring. We also run about 1400 yearlings in the summer on grass. The boys and I very much enjoy checking the cattle on grass and calving. It is about our favorite thing to do in the spring and summer. Our time is coming when we chase our boys around doing all the activities that boys do, but until then we enjoy spending time with friends, traveling to cattle sales, going to Rockies games, and hanging out with our families. I was born on a ranch in the middle of nowhere in Colorado, and I have always felt that the love I have for cattle and the cattle industry was bred in me...I believe the love and passion I have cannot be taught, it is just inside you. To get up and do what we do every day, you have to absolutely love it, it is not just a job for us, it’s a way of life, it is what we want our children to take over and love. The long nights, the early mornings, the cold winters, the long stretches without any rain, all of this is not for the faint of heart but here we all still are doing it every day and we do it for the love of our country and the people in it. I am proud to call Colorado my home. And our Colorado ranchers and farmers are the best stewards of the land, we are proud of the way we treat and take care for our animals, we love feeding the world and providing a sustainable food source because we want there to something left here for our children, our grandchildren and their children and their grandchildren. We are not the problem we are the solution. I am going to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite movies....McLintock, “Everybody works for somebody. Me, I work for everybody in these United States that steps into a butcher’s shop for a T-bone steak!” I am so excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this amazing group of women!

Sheron Sheron's Bio

Sheron

Sheron Berry, SE Quarter Rep

Sheron's Bio

I grew up on a ranch in Westcliffe, Colorado. I have been surrounded by agriculture all of my life. In 1969 when I married Fred, it was understood that I would become a Cowbelle. I have been now for 54 years, a member of Colorado Cowbelles/CattleWomen. During those years, promoting beef and educating our consumers on the dietary goodness of our product was first and foremost. It still is.

I have served on many committees and held many offices, locally, state and national. My first position on the Colorado CattleWomen Board was for State Fair. Then I was asked to be Southeast Quarter Representative. I moved up from there to President. I served in that position three times. I continued serving on the CCW Board until 2011 when I left because of my husband’s health issues.

What did I receive for my time served? I traveled nationally to attend conferences and conventions. The best was the Region 5 states. Very seldom as I traveled Colorado did I have to stay in motels. I was welcomed in their homes. Fellow CattleWomen became dear friends. Colorado is a very diverse state, but we all have one thing in common: our love for our industry. We take pride in what we are and what we do. I am now a widow. I have two daughters, four grandchildren, and three great grandbabies. I stay with county organizations and committees. I am blessed to be back among my statewide Colorado CattleWomen again as I serve as Southeast Representative.

Sallie Sallie's Bio

Sallie

Sallie Miller, Colorado Beef Account

Sallie's Bio

Sallie Miller, and her husband Kevin, are partners in Croissant Red Angus, which runs a commercial Red Angus cow/calf herd and small feedlot. Sallie has been an active member in the beef industry for many years, including serving as an officer and on various committees for both the Weld County CattleWomen and Colorado CattleWomen and is currently serving as the beef account chair. In addition, she spent 8 years as a director for the Colorado Beef Council Authority and 3 on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. Sallie is also employed by American AgCredit as the Director of Corporate Underwriting for the Dairy & Protein team. She has a passion for agricultural education, knowing that we need to help consumers understand agriculture production, how farmers are working hard to provide food and be good stewards of the land and environment.

Julie Julie's Bio

Julie

Julie Moore, Colorado Beef Council Liaison

Julie's Bio

Julie Moore has been the Director of Nutrition & Education for the Colorado Beef Council since May 1997. A Nebraska native, Julie grew up on a diversified farming and ranching operation. After completing both a Food Science and a Human Nutrition degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Julie worked for Monfort, Inc. for three years in the beef processing facility in Grand Island, Nebraska. She attended Colorado State University and received a Masters Degree in Meat Science and then worked for one of the Burger King beef patty suppliers before coming to the Colorado Beef Council. Julie lives in Aurora with her husband Rex and has two adult sons William and Ethan.

Christy Christy's Bio

Christy

Christy Hawk, Vice-President/SW Quarter Rep

Christy's Bio

I am Christy Hawk and live in Western Colorado in the small town of Crawford. My husband and I operate a cow/calf operation and run cattle with 5 other families in the West Elk Wilderness. I have been president of Black Mesa Cattlewomen three times, and a member over 38 years, and now I am the Vice President of CCW and the Southwest Qtr. Rep. I married my high school sweetheart in 1982, we didn’t inherit a ranch we started one, hard knocks and hard lessons but we have endured. Raised four great kids and now have 7 grandkids. I was fortunate enough to be able to stay home with the kids and do the daily ranch jobs, we sacrificed a lot over the years, wouldn’t change a thing. My hobbies are very old school, canning anything and everything, making a pretty mean apple pie, as my husband says best hobby ever! Love ranching, tiring but a good tired. Love being part of the cattlewomen legacy, my goal is to honor those women who have led the way for organizations at the local level and state level to stay vibrant and continue to be an intricate part of the ranching community. These women were the true ranch wife. Their time, dedication and selflessness go unnoticed. Looking forward to the coming year, a new CCW in the works, making long lasting friendships with amazing women.

Sudzy Sudzy's Bio

Sudzy

Sudzy Benesch, Secretary

Sudzy's Bio

Hello! My name is Vanette Benesch, but friends and family call me Sudzy (I wasn’t told my real name until I was 5). I retired from a 30-year teaching career in 2021 from Canon City Schools where I taught English, speech & debate and Spanish. Prior to teaching I was a Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association staff writer, a ProRodeo Sports News journalist and a Colorado State Fair media assistant and rodeo publicist. Currently, I’m the bookkeeper for my family’s ranch, W.A.W. Cattle Ranch, Inc. (Walker Ranch) in Westcliffe--a Colorado Centennial Ranch boasting a 112-year existence. I presently serve as the Custer County CattleWomen president and live in Penrose with my husband, Bryan. I have two married sons whose families continue the ranching and western heritage legacy. I am honored to be the Colorado CattleWomen secretary and believe strongly in our mission. As the majority of the population becomes more urbanized, we as cattlewomen must share the facts and benefits about the cattle industry. Not only does ranching produce a nutritious food source in beef, but it also protects valuable land habitats, promotes a healthier environment through carbon sequestration and secures our nation's ability to be self-reliant.

Joanie Joanie's Bio

Joanie

Joanie Shoemaker, Parliamentarian/Legislative

Joanie's Bio

It is my privilege to serve as the Parliamentarian for Cattlewomen. Our family ranch is a cow-calf operation that was established in 1899. I believe we are following the legacy of our grandparents and parents in being active in the agricultural industry promoting cattle. Our family has focused on sustainability to preserve the land we care for. I am proud that with my sister, we own Bunk House Burger and celebrated 10 years of operation in January of this year.
I am active with the Fremont County Cattlewomen serving as president and the newly revitalized MileHI Cattlewomen. I was recently reappointed to serve on the Colorado Beef Council for my second term. Currently, I am secretary/treasurer for the board and feel very blessed to follow in my mother’s footsteps as she served on the Beef Council. It is an honor to utilize the Beef Checkoff dollars to maximize and increase beef demand consumer confidence in our great beef products.

Kathy Kathy's Bio

Kathy

Kathy Nelson, NW Quarter Rep

Kathy's Bio

I was born and raised here in Meeker, in northwest Colorado and returned to my roots to pursue my career in education after college. In 2021, I retired to return to working on the family ranch. A fourth generation Colorado rancher, I work with my parents and brother to manage the cattle, sheep, goats and various other livestock. We raise high quality club lambs, goats and calves along with our commercial cattle operation. I spend my time tending livestock and putting up hay while marketing our ranch and animals for sale. When I'm not volunteering on the White River Conservation District Board, Upper Environmental Plant Center Board, St. James Vestry, 4-H Youth Fund and taking my therapy dog to school, I enjoy watching my daughter evaluate livestock. She is currently pursuing her Master's Degree at Montana State University. I joined CattleWomen to follow in both my grandmothers' and mother's footsteps. I enjoy working with our local group and the Western Colorado Cattlewomen Council and most recently joining the Colorado Cattlewomen as the Northwest Representative. I look forward to meeting new cattlewomen and working with an outstanding group of women on the executive board.

Jo Jo's Bio

Jo Stanko, Industry Issues/Communications

Jo's Bio

Jo Stanko married into a ranching family in 1966. Since then, she has honed and continues to hone both her tractor driving and ag advocacy skills. She was trained as a teacher and administrator. From 1974 until she retired in 1999, Jo taught in the winter and worked cattle and drove tractor in the summer. She became an active member of the Routt County CattleWomen in 1974. She was active locally and doing some state work until her retirement from teaching, when she became a full-time rancher and stepped up her advocating at the local, state, and national level. Over the years she has served on the boards, and held leadership roles and committee chairs for the Routt County CattleWomen, Colorado CattleWomen. At the ANCW level, she served on the Board of Directors, Secretary, and as a National Beef Advocacy Spokesperson. She was in the first class of Masters of Beef Advocacy and further honed her advocacy skills by participating with the US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance. Before a change in structure, she represented the Colorado Cattlemen on the Health and Nutrition Committee for many years. Later she was appointed to represent Colorado beef producers on the Cattlemen’s Beef Board serving 2 terms where she was chair the Health and Nutrition Committee for 2 years and the six as chair of the Stakeholder Engagement Committee. Outside of her beef industry affiliations, Jo has been honored to serve as Chairman of the Colorado Farms Services state committee chair, a member of the Colorado Ag Commission for two terms and is currently working part-time as a Regional Assistant Commissioner for the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Kelsey Kelsey's Bio

Kelsey

Kelsey Pope, Newsletter/Website

Kelsey's Bio

Hi, I’m Kelsey Pope! I am a Colorado rancher and writer, born and raised on the cow-calf ranch that my husband, Ronny, and I are back working on today with our two sons. I received my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Ag Economics with an emphasis in Leadership and Public Relations from Kansas State University, then worked for the Nebraska Corn Board for five years before returning to the family's ranch. Now, I work from home as an ag marketing consultant, freelance writer and social media manager so I can raise my sons on the ranch. It is a joy to be able to raise them so close to family and experience everything through their eyes, and I thank God every day for all of His blessings. I also manage our seedstock business’s registrations and DNA paperwork for Solid Rock Red Angus. I volunteer speaking on behalf of agriculture with CommonGround Colorado as well as serving on the Colorado AgriTourism Association Board of Directors and Limon Education Foundation. I currently serve as the Lincoln County CattleWomen’s President and Beef Promotions chair. I enjoy cooking, gardening, crafting, quilting and all things domestic, yet you can find me in coveralls and muck boots helping out in any aspect of ranch life.

Cindy Cindy's Bio

Cindy

Cindy Mangus, Stock Show Chair

Cindy's Bio

My name is Cindy Mangus, a fourth generation Coloradoan and the chair for the National Western Stock Show for the last 4 years. The Colorado Beef Council booth is where I enjoy gathering volunteers for educating our urban neighbors and promoting our industry, which I feel strongly is vital and critical. I am on the eastern plains in Burlington, CO, my husband and I own a livestock feed supply business, take cattle in for summer care, I work part-time processing freight for a trucking company, and chase grandchildren, dogs, horses and cows on the wide open prairie.

CCW Chairs/Industry Representatives:

NWSS: Cindy Mangus
State Fair Carcass: Open
Ag Fest: Open
Membership: Kathleen Shoemaker
Ranch Run: Open
Colorado Cattlemen: Erin Karney