This Friday marks an exciting time for fans as a new era of Colorado Uniforms is set to be unveiled. Thanks to the keen eye of @BupsJones, anticipation is building around potential new combinations of helmets, jerseys, and pants in the classic white, black, and silver. While rumors suggest subtle changes, any fresh look for the Buffaloes on Saturdays is welcome, with hopes that it translates to renewed success on the field.
To celebrate the upcoming Colorado uniforms reveal, let’s take a trip down memory lane and rank some of the most memorable uniform combinations the Buffs have sported since the infamous “blue-sky” era of the early 80s. This ranking is purely subjective and, admittedly, biased, but aims to highlight the highs and lows of Colorado’s uniform history.
Last Place: The Blue Sky Uniform (1980-84)
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Words can hardly describe how truly awful these Colorado uniforms were. Undeniably the worst in the program’s history, their existence stems from a mandate by the regents to move away from the beloved black jerseys. Instead of embracing the school colors, the decision was made to represent Colorado’s sky, resulting in uniforms that resembled the colors of the Chargers more than the Buffaloes. While there might be a few out there who appreciate these from a historical curiosity standpoint, for most fans, these are best forgotten. The “blue sky” era coincided with a difficult period for the team. Chuck Fairbanks resigned after the ’81 season, and Bill McCartney inherited a program in need of a major overhaul, both in terms of team performance and visual appeal. In 1984, a slight darkening of the blue was attempted, presumably to give a tougher look, but the effort was futile. These uniforms faded away, thankfully, paving the way for McCartney’s return to black as the primary color.
#5: The “Dan Hawkins” Era Jerseys (2007-2011)
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(Source: Wikipedia)
In renderings, these Colorado uniforms don’t appear completely terrible, mainly because the gold tones are somewhat consistent. Credit should be given to Nike and CU for attempting something different and somewhat modern for the time with these tops. The numerous stripes and lines are very “early 2000s,” which isn’t inherently bad, but the style quickly became dated. Ironically, an article at the time even praised these uniforms as among the best in college football, a claim seemingly contradicted by the picture accompanying the article itself! The most glaring issue was the mismatched gold: the helmet gold was noticeably darker than the gold on the pants. Despite the effort and attempt at innovation, these uniforms were overshadowed by other Colorado uniform designs from the same general period, which were significantly more successful and visually appealing.
#4-#2: McCartney Era Classics & Throwbacks
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(Source: Wikipedia)
Breaking into the top tier, positions #4 through #2 are occupied by variations of the classic McCartney-era Colorado uniforms. These three are fundamentally very similar, with subtle nuances that differentiate them in this ranking. Starting at #4, we have the current iteration of the iconic CU look. It’s largely faithful to the early nineties design but features minor tweaks. The shoulder stripes seem slightly larger, and perhaps it’s just perception, but the gold appears a touch brighter. These subtle changes, while not drastic, are enough to place it slightly lower than its predecessors. Perhaps sentiment also plays a role, as this version is associated with a less dominant era for the Buffs on the field.
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(Source: cubuffs.com)
Moving to the #3 spot are the Colorado uniforms from 1997-98. Apologies for the screenshot quality, but finding a clear image of this specific uniform proved challenging. The base design is identical to the #2 ranked uniform, but the numbers were updated with a silver trim within the numerals themselves. At the very least, this detail provides an interesting visual element. At best, it’s a refined, subtly enhanced version of the original McCartney-era uniforms. Which brings us to…
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(Source: Denver Post)
Claiming the #2 spot are the original McCartney era Colorado uniforms, worn from 1985-98. This long-lasting uniform set is undoubtedly one of the best in Colorado’s history. As modeled by CU legend Darian Hagan, these jerseys were iconic and unique in college football during their time, setting a high bar for style. Colorado was among the first schools to feature their name on the front of the jersey and one of the few to embrace black as a primary color in that era. These uniforms are associated with a golden age of Buffs football and remain as sharp and timeless today as they were decades ago. The classic black and gold combination is powerfully represented here.
#1: Gary Barnett Era Uniforms (1999-2007)
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All black everything. These Gary Barnett era Colorado uniforms are, without question, the pinnacle. They are the standard against which all other CU uniforms are measured. Words risk failing to capture just how impressive these jerseys are, potentially descending into hyperbole about the best uniforms in the sport, but they are truly exceptional. Referring to the entire uniform set, as perfectly showcased by Chris Brown slicing through the Nebraska defense (a nod to the unforgettable 62-36 victory), the beauty lies in its monochromatic approach. A black top paired with gold pants meant solid black and solid gold, respectively, with no color variations within a single garment. These uniforms were streamlined, detail-minimalist, and maximized the “wow” factor. They simply made CU look their absolute best.
Before concluding, a special acknowledgment to Matthew Robins, known as @BupsJones, for his invaluable research assistance with this article. When internet searches proved unfruitful, his expertise in Colorado uniforms history was essential. As promised, here’s the image he requested be included:
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This photo features legendary lineman Joe Romig sporting the silver and black Colorado uniforms alongside Fred “Count” Casotti. A throwback to these silver and black uniforms would be welcomed by many, as Romig demonstrated their visual appeal decades ago.
Throughout the years, there have been numerous other Colorado uniforms variations and adjustments (many of which are documented in the CU Info Guide & Record Book), including the impressive throwback uniforms worn against Wyoming in 2009. However, all eyes are on tomorrow as a new chapter in Colorado Buffaloes uniforms begins.
What are your favorite CU uniforms? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
