Colorado Capitol Displays Special Quilt of Valor

A handmade quilt commemorating the U.S. 250th birthday is now on display in State Representative Ty Winter's office.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Philanthropy

Gouache-painted illustration of a colorful, patterned handmade quilt hanging on an arched stone wall, conveying community dedication and military appreciation. — A Quilt of Valor created by volunteer artisans is now on display at the Colorado State Capitol, honoring veterans ahead of the U.S. 250th anniversary. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Carole Spady has loaned a Quilt of Valor to Colorado State Representative Ty Winter to be displayed at the State Capitol in Denver. The piece serves to demonstrate a commitment to military veterans while marking the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States.

Why it matters

The display highlights the ongoing efforts of regional volunteers who craft these quilts as tokens of appreciation for veterans. It underscores the connection between community-led philanthropy and state-level recognition of military service.

The Colorado Prairie Quilters have awarded 180 quilts across southeastern Colorado, including 36 in Kiowa County. Nationally, the Quilts of Valor Foundation has reached a milestone of 450,000 total quilts presented to service members and veterans.

The players

Carole Spady

She is a quilter who previously led the Colorado Prairie Quilters and created the piece currently on display.

Ty Winter

He is a Colorado State Representative who is hosting the quilt in his Capitol office.

Catherine Roberts

She founded the national Quilts of Valor Foundation in 2003 to provide handmade quilts to veterans.

The details

Created by Carole Spady and machine-quilted by Marilyn Hagans, the piece incorporates fabric panels from Dorothy Ellicott's collection. The quilt, which cannot be bought or sold, reflects hours of volunteer labor dedicated to honoring those who have served in the military.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation was established in 2003.
The Colorado Prairie Quilters began awarding quilts in 2020.
Carole Spady finished her term as the group leader in February 2026.
The quilt was exhibited at the Kiowa County Fair in the fall of 2026.
Five additional quilts are scheduled to be awarded on Veterans Day 2026.

Market Landscape

The quilt project aligns with national preparations for the United States Semiquincentennial Commission's 250th anniversary initiatives. This effort mirrors a broader trend of local organizations using civic milestone commemorations to drive community-focused charitable engagement.

Residents can observe the commemorative quilt at the State Capitol while it remains on loan in the representative's office. The piece will eventually be removed from public display to be formally awarded to a veteran in southeastern Colorado.

The takeaway

Volunteers typically dedicate 40 to 60 hours to complete each quilt intended for veterans. Interested community members looking to support such efforts can contact local quilting groups to learn how their craft skills contribute to regional veteran recognition.