Jessica Hartman, a 19-year-old Colorado State University-Pueblo student, represented the state of Colorado this year in the 2010 Miss United States Pageant. After competing in only two other pageants in her short career, Hartman placed as the third runner-up nationally and reigns as Miss Colorado for the 2010 year.

“It was amazing to be around so many incredible women, I made lifelong friends,” Hartman said.

Hartman, who grew up in Pueblo and graduated from Pueblo County High School in 2009, traveled to Las Vegas for the famous pageant. The contestants stayed for two weeks and even saw a Barry Manilow concert, Hartman said.

“This year has been hectic,” Hartman said. “The worst part of preparing was 6 a.m. cardio with my trainer,”

As for placing in the top five, the 5-foot-10-inch pageant regular said, “I was so lucky.”

After completing her first year at CSU-Pueblo as a mass communications major, Hartman said she lives like any other college student. Seeking her bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in broadcast journalism, Hartman said, “I always wanted to do broadcast, I want to be the next Katie Couric.”

Hartman, who lives in the new dorms on campus, said she is cautious about the way she lives her personal life. “I’m in the public eye so I have to be careful,” Hartman said.

“My family has been super supportive,” she said. “Actually it was my mom’s idea to sign me up for pageants in the first place.” Hartman said when she got back from the pageant she slept for two weeks.

For more information on the Miss USA pageant or Hartman visit www.misscoloradousa.com or call Future Productions State Pageant offices at 952-440-4550.