Prior to competing in Miss Colombia 2010, Robayo was given the chance to represent Valle in Miss Colombia 2009 when the original Miss Valle 2009, Diana Salgado, was forced to resign because "her body measures surpassed the normal requirements of the competition.
Catalina Robayo only participated in the first week of the 2009 Miss Colombia pageant, after Salgado sued Valle del Cauca Department organizing committee, and regained the right to represent Valle in Miss Colombia 2009.
A year later, Robayo competed once again as Miss Valle in her country's national pageant, Miss Colombia 2010, held in Cartagena on November 15, 2010, where she obtained the Miss Elegance award and the title of Miss Colombia, gaining the right to represent her country in Miss Universe 2011.