This Friday marks an exciting moment for Buffs fans as a new generation of uniforms will be unveiled. Thanks to the keen observations of @BupsJones, we anticipate fresh combinations of helmets, jerseys, and pants in the classic white, black, and silver. While whispers suggest subtle tweaks rather than radical changes, any updated look for Saturdays is welcome, especially if it coincides with renewed success on the field.
To celebrate the anticipation of these new University Of Colorado Football Uniforms, let’s take a retrospective look at the various combinations the Buffs have sported since the infamous “blue-sky” era of the early 80s. What follows is a completely subjective and unscientific ranking of these uniforms, rated from worst to best. Let’s dive in!
Last Place: The Infamous Blue Sky Uniform (1980-1984)
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Words almost fail to describe how truly awful these uniforms were. Universally recognized as the nadir of Colorado’s uniform history, their very existence stems from a mandate by the regents to move away from the beloved black jerseys. Instead of simply embracing the school colors, the design team inexplicably decided to embody the Colorado sky, resulting in uniforms that bizarrely resembled the colors of the Los Angeles Chargers. While it’s conceivable that somewhere out there, a lone individual might champion these in some hypothetical uniform hall of fame, for most fans, erasing them from memory would be a welcome outcome. Chuck Fairbanks resigned after the 1981 season, and Bill McCartney inherited a program in disarray, burdened not only by these questionable uniforms but also a struggling team. In 1984, a slight darkening of the blue was attempted, presumably in a misguided effort to appear more intimidating. This cosmetic change proved futile, and these uniforms mercifully faded into oblivion as McCartney transitioned back to black as the primary color.
Number 5: The Divisive “Dan Hawkins” Era Jerseys (2007-2011)
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(Source: Wikipedia)
In these idealized renderings, these uniforms don’t appear completely offensive, largely because the gold tones seem to match. Credit should be given to Nike and CU for attempting something somewhat modern and different with the jersey tops. The various stripes and lines definitely evoke a “new millennium” aesthetic, which isn’t inherently negative, but its appeal was definitely short-lived for many. Incredibly, one article even lauded these uniforms as the third best in college football, a claim immediately undermined by the accompanying photo. The most glaring issue? The gold on the helmet was approximately twenty shades darker than the gold on the pants! Despite the effort and intention, this iteration unfortunately coincided with a period where the other CU uniform designs were consistently among the best in college football, making this era a comparative low point in uniform aesthetics.
Numbers 4 through 2: The McCartney Era Greatness and Throwbacks
Number 4: The Contemporary Version of the Iconic CU Look (2011-Present)
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(Source: Wikipedia)
These three uniform sets are fundamentally quite similar, yet subtle differences justify their separate rankings. Starting with number 4, the current interpretation of the classic CU aesthetic. It’s essentially a modernized version of the early nineties design, incorporating minor updates. The shoulder stripes appear slightly broader, and perhaps it’s subjective, but the gold seems a touch brighter. While not drastically different, these subtle changes are enough to nudge it slightly lower in the ranking. It’s also worth noting that this uniform set has been associated with a period of less on-field success for the program.
Number 3: The Unique 1997-1998 Silver Trim Numbers
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(Source: cubuffs.com)
Apologies for the screenshot quality, but finding a high-resolution image of this specific uniform proved challenging. The base of this uniform mirrors number 2, but the numbers were updated with a silver trim incorporated within the numerals themselves. At the very least, it’s an interesting and unique detail to appreciate. At best, it’s arguably an enhanced iteration of the original McCartney-era uniforms. Speaking of which…
Number 2: The Original McCartney Era Classic (1985-1998)
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(Source: Denver Post)
One of the most enduring uniform designs in Colorado history is also undeniably one of its finest. These uniforms are simply stunning. As exemplified by cover model and fan-favorite Darian Hagan, this jersey was genuinely unique in college football during its time and undeniably stylish. Colorado was among the first schools to prominently feature their name on the front of the jerseys (according to Dave Plaiti) and was also somewhat pioneering in utilizing black as a primary color back in that era. These uniforms are associated with countless great memories and remain as sharp and timeless today as they were back then. Black and Gold perfection.
Number 1: The Unmatched Gary Barnett Era All-Black Uniforms (1999-2005)
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ALL BLACK. ALL BOLD. These are, without question, my personal favorite CU uniforms, and every subsequent design is measured against these beauties. It’s difficult to avoid excessive praise when discussing what are arguably the best jerseys in the business, but they are truly exceptional. Focusing specifically on the color execution across the entire uniform, there was an unparalleled consistency. Whether it was a black top with gold pants, the commitment to a single shade of black and gold throughout each element was remarkable. These uniforms were minimalist in trim and detail, yet maximum in impact. They simply made CU look their absolute best. This image of Chris Brown slicing through the Nebraska defense in the iconic 62-36 game only further solidifies their legendary status.
Before concluding, a special shout-out to Matthew Robins, known as @BupsJones, for his invaluable assistance in researching this article. I was somewhat lost navigating the internet until I consulted the resident uniform expert for guidance. As promised, here’s the image he requested to be included:
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Indeed, that’s legendary lineman Joe Romig sporting the silver and black alongside Fred “Count” Casotti. A revival of these uniforms would certainly be welcomed by many, as Romig undeniably wore them with distinction back in the day.
Throughout the years, there have been numerous other variations and tweaks to the University of Colorado football uniforms (extensive imagery can be found in the CU Info Guide & Record Book), including the impressive throwbacks worn against Wyoming in 2009. However, tomorrow heralds a new chapter for the Buffs’ visual identity.
Let us know in the comments what your all-time favorite CU uniform is!
