The History

How did we start this State Event?

Coronation used to be in June. Summer was the end of the year instead of the middle. Winter Cotillion was originally a Christmas time function to raise money and collect toys for needy children.See Empress VII, Fran's proclamation.Emperor Bill and Empress Fran changed the event to be a Winter Cotillion. There were to be contestants for Prince and Princess of Snow.As the years went on, Winter Cotillion became scheduled in the beginning of the year. Coronation had moved to November to be more cost effective. Now, the Christmas season was really close to the new Monarchs stepping up. There was still the need to celebrate Investitures. Therefore, Winter Cotillion ended up marking the end of the first quarter of the year.In recent years Winter Cotillion has been scheduled in late February and early March. Monarchs know it cannot be scheduled after the 22nd of March, the first day of Spring. The event has been more of a challenge recently because Denver and Colorado Springs have enjoyed attending Seattle's Coronation. Our Texas brothers and sisters also enjoy our visits to Houston. There has always been scheduling issues with all the State Functions, but Winter Cotillion has endured the most changes.Winter Cotillion is also the event where the Monarchs from the year before announce the funds raised during their reign. With the help of the Treasurer, the Monarchs from the previous year are able to close the financial books of their reign and donate funds to the community. Between November and February, all the bills are paid and the accounting is balanced with the bank and the community.

The Debutante Ball

Winter Cotillion is now traditionally a Debutante Ball.Since Reign VII, the Debutantes have been people in the community who were new to the Court. Not everyone has to be young like other Debutantes. But, the contestants are encouraged to make the event their "Coming Out" party to the Court. Coming out as a member of our organization is different from coming out of the closet. We are non-discriminatory, and we want the entire community to feel a part of our success. The new Debutantes get to meet new people and learn from the experienced line members and Regents.The Prince and Princess of Snow Competition has rules.

- A Debutante wears a white dress, regardless of gender.
- The Debutante is escorted by an Escort, wearing a suit or tuxedo, regardless of gender.
- The Debutante cannot talk out right. The Escort walks around the room introducing the Debutante to guests. After the Debutante is introduced, she is allowed to carry on a conversation.
- At the end of the first set, the candidates for Prince and Princess of Snow waltz.
- After the waltz, the candidates sell raffle tickets for charity. The raffle prizes vary each year.
- Usually, there are secret judges picked by the Monarchs who vote on which couple did the best job during the evening.
- The Prince and Princess are crowned before the last performances of the evening.

The Prince and Princess of Snow use their titles for one (1) year, or until the next Winter Cotillion. Many past recipients of the award have moved on to higher office. It is not a lifetime title. This pageant is a stepping stone towards achieving larger responsibilities.

We encourage our community to get involved and strive for greatness while having fun doing so.

This year's Winter Cotillion is Saturday, March 10th, 2018!

You can get your Tickets online:

Welcome to the United Court of the Pikes Peak Empire!

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Established in 1976

This page was most recently updated on November 14th, 2018

The United Court of the Pikes Peak Empire

The oldest GLBT organization in Southern Colorado – The Highest Court in all the Land!

What We Do

The United Court of the Pikes Peak Empire conducts charitable and public service projects and events to benefit legitimate charities, and we provide social and charitable activities for the benefit of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.

We are a 501(c)3 organization and your donations are tax deductible.

One Dollar At A Time

That mantra drives the United Court of the Pikes Peak Empire’s fundraising efforts. Now in its 40th year, the group raises between $12,000 and $15,000 per year for local charities like Inside Out Youth Services and the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. They collect donations dollar-by-dollar — from tips at charity drag shows to auctions and other volunteer works.

“To make philanthropy a fad is my goal,” says Anthony Merkle. His drag persona,Shelby G. Moorehead, holds the title Empress XL for UCPPE. His partner,Travis Henderson, serves as Emperor XL. It’s unusual for an Emperor and Empress to be a couple, because the positions are elected, but it’s not unheard of.

The Court is an all-inclusive organization, welcoming members who are “gay, straight, bi, lesbian, transgender; our membership comes very heavily from all of those groups,” says Henderson. They have members of all ages and backgrounds.

“We have members who have been alongside fighting through the AIDS crisis, fighting for marriage equality, fighting through the most recent tragedy in Orlando,” adds Merkle. “That’s what the Court system does. We take any kind of negativity in our community, and we turn it into a positive way for us to stand up for what we see as right.”

The money that the Court raises goes to a variety of local charities, as selected by the Emperor and Empress. Being 100 percent volunteer-run, UCPPE shares volunteers with many other local organizations. While they’ve always been good at raising money, Henderson and Merkle are focused on being more visible in the community, breaking down walls and teaming up with other organizations.

“There was a time that you could go out to the bars and everyone knew who the Court was,” says Merkle.

They hope to make that true again.

Our Reigning Monarchs

Empress Anka Shayne and Emperor Colter Armstrong

Prince and Princess Royale 43 NIc Grzecka and Autumn Quinn

Reign 43 Monarchs Nic Grzecka, Colter Armstrong, Anka Shayne and Autumn Quinn

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Our Charitable Work

Charitable Organizations We Support:

MDA

M.O.M.Y.

Pikes Peak MCC

A Kidz Hope Homes Inc

Urban Peak

Colorado Leatherfest

Chihuahua & Small Dog Rescue

Pikes Peak Hospice

Wounded Warrior Project

Save Me Scout Rescue

BuildABear Workshop

Rainbow Rose Scholarship Fund

Silver Key Services

Transformative Freedom Fund

JDRF

One Nation Walking Together

Marian House

Inside/Out Youth Services

Peak Area Gender Expressions (PAGE)

Special Olympics

In 2017 (Reign 41) We Raised

$15,170.25*

for 11 Charities!

Our Monarchs and line members work to raise money through donations at our performances. The money we raise is then given back to the community at the end of each year. We get all our money from the generosity of those who attend our shows and donate. Come join us at our next event to see more about what we do, and help us to help those in our community, one dollar at a time.

* The actual amount raised was higher than this. We are gathering the figures for disbursements that were given out at times other than Winter Cotillion.