Colorado Buffaloes Logo PNG
Founded in 1980, the University of Colorado Boulder team boasts a powerful and convincing mascot that matches its name. The original contrasting design and striking monogram make the Colorado Buffaloes logo dynamic, demonstrating strength and perseverance.
The Colorado program dates back to 1890, when the first football game was played. Silver and gold cere were adopted as colors in 1888. The Buffaloes’ name appeared in 1934 after a contest, and a live bison debuted the same day in a 7:6 win over Utah.
In 1934, Fred Folsom became head coach. In 1937, Byron White earned All-America honors and later became a US Supreme Court justice. The first bowl win came on January 1, 1957, when Colorado beat Clemson 27:21 in the Orange Bowl.
Since 1966, a live mascot named Ralphie has run onto the field before each half. The program reached a peak under Bill McCartney, who was hired in 1982. After a loss to Notre Dame in the 1990 Orange Bowl, Colorado returned on January 1, 1991. It won 10:9, securing a national title with an 11–1–1 record.
In 1994, Rashaan Salaam won the Heisman Trophy. That same year marked the end of McCartney’s tenure. In 1996, the University of Colorado Boulder joined the Big 12 Conference and won its title in 2001.
In 2011, the team moved to the Pac-12 Conference, facing programs like USC and Oregon. In 2016, Colorado won the Pac-12 South division and reached the Pac-12 Championship Game.
In 2022, Deion Sanders was hired as head coach. In 2024, Travis Hunter won the Heisman Trophy, and the program returned to the Big 12 Conference.
Meaning and History
The team’s name reflects its mascot and nickname. In 1980, the logo featured a silhouette of a running bison. This image was so successful that it was retained in subsequent redesigns, with only the color palette changed. Thus, it has remained in its original form to this day. While the first version was brown, the bison is now blue with a pale gold outline. A light line along the edge completed the drawing, and a white droplet-shaped horn added contrast.
What is Colorado Buffaloes?
The Colorado Buffaloes are a sports department consisting of 17 teams representing the University of Colorado Boulder. They participate in the Pac-12 Conference, compete in the NCAA (FBS), are members of the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association (for skiers), and belong to the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation.
1950 – 1967
1967 – 1981
1981 – 1985
1985 – 2005
2005 – today
Another element of the logo that has rarely changed is the monogram composed of the first letters of Colorado Buffaloes. The lower part of the letter “C” and the left part of “U” intersect in the center. This combination looks like a complex geometric figure. Serifs disrupt the symmetry at the edges of the “U” and the curved ends of the “C.” Otherwise, both letters are similar: they lack smooth curves and have many angles. In 2006, the font became italicized. This added dynamism to the image, as the monogram is positioned directly on the bison’s side.
