Erika Flores (born November 2, 1979 in Grass Valley, California) is an American actress and former child actress, best known for her role as the first Colleen Cooper in the Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman TV series. Erika left the role in 1995 on account of a salary dispute as well as personal reasons in the middle of the third season. The role was then recast with Jessica Bowman as Colleen..