CU Legends & Lore
This famous live buffalo mascot is actually a female, despite her name.
Who is Ralphie?
CU Boulder was the first university in the U.S. to have this type of academic department focused on the environment.
What is Environmental Studies?
Boulder’s elevation is roughly this many feet above sea level.
What is 5,430 feet?
This astronaut and CU alum was the first American woman to walk in space.
Who is Dr. Kalpana Chawla?
During game days, fans often paint this three-letter phrase across their chests in gold.
What is “C-U” or “Sko”? (accept either)
CU’s first live buffalo mascot was given to the school by this group in 1957.
Who are the Student Government / Alumni Association? (Both helped sponsor)?
Students can borrow bikes for free through this program.
What is the CU Bike Program or Boulder BCycle?
Boulder hosts this famous 10K race every Memorial Day, attracting runners from all over the world.
What is the Bolder Boulder?
This South Park co-creator attended CU Boulder and based parts of the show on his college experience.
Who is Trey Parker or Matt Stone?
This CU marching band tradition takes place before every home game at Farrand Field.
What is the Pearl Street Stampede or the Pre-Game March?
This eerie CU legend tells of a ghost haunting Macky Auditorium’s upper balcony.
What is the ghost of Macky Auditorium?
These reusable water stations are found across campus to reduce single-use bottles.
What are refill or hydration stations?
This popular farmer’s market runs from April through November downtown.
What is the Boulder Farmers Market?
This CU alum became the 2001 Nobel Prize winner in Physics.
Who is Eric Cornell?
This homecoming event invites Buffs of all generations to parade through Boulder’s streets.
What is the Homecoming Parade?
CU Boulder was founded the same year Colorado became a state — this year.
What is 1876?
This CU program helps students learn about composting, recycling, and energy conservation in the residence halls.
What is the EcoReps program?
This massive natural landmark west of campus is a favorite hiking destination for students.
What is Chautauqua Park?
This individual became the first female head of state in Africa and in 2011, she won the Nobel Peach Prize for women's rights and promotion of peace.
Who is Ellen Johnson Sirleaf?
During graduation, students toss this symbolic item into the air at Folsom Field
What are their caps (mortarboards)?
According to CU folklore, stepping on this campus seal brings bad luck before graduation.
What is the Norlin Quad seal / CU seal?
CU Boulder aims to achieve this ambitious campus-wide goal by 2050.
What is carbon neutrality?
Boulder consistently ranks among the top U.S. cities for this environmental metric.
What is sustainability / green living / environmental consciousness? (accept any)
This person was the first Asian American astronaut and has a building named after them of Spring 2026?
The phrase “Shoulder to Shoulder” comes from this CU fight song line.
What is “Fight CU Down the Field”?