There was teasing about the soaring decibel level of female voices filling The Pinery at the Hill on April 8 as 185 members of Pikes Peak Women gathered for the 15th annual Wine, Women and Chocolate evening.

Established in 2011, volunteer-led Pikes Peak Women has a mission “to provide a platform where women in the Pikes Peak region can become engaged and discuss civic issues about which they care deeply.” An Elevating Pikes Peak Women podcast brings in experts in current topics “to inform and provoke community action.” Speakers are described as at the top of public policy and activism. Members “Vote. Run. Lead. Volunteer.”

The speaker for the evening, economist Tatiana Bailey, fit the mission by addressing “how local economic conditions are impacting issues that matter to women.”

A major new award was announced carrying the name and legacy of the late “woman of firsts” Marcy Morrison of Manitou Springs. She had been the founder of the impactful Artemis, focused on growing the voices of women in public life. Artemis later became Pikes Peak Women.

A longtime teacher, Marcy’s public service career included Manitou Springs Board of Education in 1973 when she was the first female member and president. She was chair of El Paso County Board of Recreation and Parks during the creation of Bear Creek Nature Center. In 1984 Marcy became the first woman elected to the El Paso County Board of Commissioners, serving eight years. Election to Colorado General Assembly was next, followed by election as mayor of Manitou Springs from 2001 to 2006, when she focused on downtown improvements and the town’s Carnegie Library.

At age 73 in 2007 she was appointed Colorado’s commissioner of insurance by the governor. When the community leader died in 2025, donations were made to Manitou Art Center and Westside Cares.

Fittingly, the first Pikes Peak Women Marcy Morrison Award went to Natalie Johnson, a 20-year resident of Manitou and newly elected mayor. She is executive director of Manitou Art Center and was on the school board and the City Council. She said, “There are opportunities to really make a difference.” Johnson said it is important that the Manitou Art Center “has become the community center for the community.”

One thing makes the new mayor especially sad, she said — the loss of Marcy Morrison means she can’t call her for advice. Marcy’s daughter, Brenda, gifted Johnson a special piece of Marcy’s jewelry.

Three Pikes Peak Women Unsung Heroines, up-and-comers, were honored:

• Kimberly Gold is in her first term representing District 4 on Colorado Springs City Council representing the southeast. She was described as “a fierce advocate” for her area of the city. She has been named a Woman of Influence and as Army Spouse of the Year for Fort Carson.

• Jessi Bustamante is communications specialist for RISE (Resilient, Inspired, Strong, Engaged) Southeast Coalition, focused on healthy initiatives, food equity, community building and transportation needs. She studies strategic communications at UCCS, minoring in health and wellness promotion.

• Heila Ershadi is an advocate for local journalism and is the new editor-in-chief of Pikes Peak Bulletin. Her career started in Moab, Utah, including the Moab Sun News, and as a member of the Moab City Council she also included writing human interest stories. She was also liaison to Moab’s Grand Conservation District, Moab Area Watershed Partnership and the Grand County Homeless Coordinating Committee. 

Contact: Pikes Peak Women on Facebook