History of Colorado Buffaloes football in Timeline

The Colorado Buffaloes football team, representing the University of Colorado Boulder, competes in NCAA Division I FBS. A former Big 12 member, they spent 13 seasons in the Pac-12 before rejoining the Big 12 in 2024. Their home field is Folsom Field since 1924. As of the 2022 season, the Buffaloes hold an all-time record of 716–520–36. Colorado won the 1990 National Championship and ranks 27th in all-time wins and 40th in all-time winning percentage among college football programs.

1903: Rivalry with Utah ran from 1903 to 1962

The Colorado Buffaloes' rivalry with Utah began in 1903.

1924: Folsom Field built

Folsom Field was built in 1924.

1924: Played at Folsom Field

Since 1924, the CU football team has played at Folsom Field.

1962: Rivalry with Utah ran from 1903 to 1962

The Colorado Buffaloes' rivalry with Utah ran from 1903 to 1962.

1967: Last win in Lincoln before 1990

Colorado hadn't beaten Nebraska in Lincoln since 1967, until their victory in 1990.

1982: Bill McCartney became head coach

In 1982, Bill McCartney became the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team.

1986: Win over Huskers

Following their win over the Huskers in 1986, Colorado began to repeatedly threaten Nebraska.

1989: Bill McCartney named Walter Camp Coach of the Year

In 1989, Bill McCartney was named Walter Camp Coach of the Year.

1989: Surpassed Huskers for Big 8 crown

In 1989, Colorado surpassed the Huskers for the Big 8 crown.

1989: Orange Bowl Game

In the 1989 season, Notre Dame won 21-6 against Colorado in the Orange Bowl Game.

1990: Won national championship

Colorado won one national championship in football for 1990.

1990: Beat Nebraska for the first time since 1967

In 1990, Colorado beat Nebraska 27–12 in Lincoln for the first time since 1967, en route to their first national title.

1994: Bill McCartney left position as head coach

In 1994, Bill McCartney left his position as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes football team after holding the position since 1982.

1996: McCartney inducted into Orange Bowl Hall of Fame

In 1996, Bill McCartney was inducted into the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame.

1996: Introduction of Big 12 Conference

The rivalry between Colorado and Nebraska was further buoyed by the introduction of the Big 12 Conference in 1996.

2000: Competitive series between 1996-2000

From 1996 to 2000, the series between Colorado and Nebraska was extremely competitive, with the margin of victory by NU in those five years being only 15 points combined.

2001: Colorado blowout win

In 2001, No. 1 Nebraska came to Folsom Field undefeated and left at the short end of a nationally televised 62–36 blowout by Colorado.

2001: Best season for Buffaloes since 2001

In 2016, it was the best season for the Buffaloes since 2001.

2004: Last win in Lincoln before 2018

Colorado had not won in Lincoln since 2004, until their victory in 2018.

2005: First winning season for Colorado since 2005

In 2016, Colorado had its first winning season since 2005, ending a 10-year streak of finishing below .500.

November 24, 2006: 1,100th football game

On November 24, 2006, the road game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers was Colorado's 1,100th football game.

2007: Last win against Nebraska before 2018

Colorado had not won against Nebraska since 2007, until their victory in 2018.

2010: Left Big 12 to join Pac-12

In 2010, the Colorado Buffaloes left the Big 12 Conference to join the Pac-12 Conference after being a charter member of the Big 12.

2011: Both teams departed Big 12

In 2011, both Colorado and Nebraska departed the Big 12, with NU heading to the Big Ten.

2011: Rivalry with Utah renewed

In 2011, the rivalry between Colorado and Utah was renewed when both teams joined the Pac-12.

2012: Mike MacIntyre hired as head coach

In 2012, Mike MacIntyre was hired as the head coach.

February 7, 2013: Rivalry renewal agreed upon

On February 7, 2013, Colorado and Nebraska agreed to renew their football rivalry.

2014: Games played through 2014 season

Through the 2014 season, the Buffaloes have played in 1,109 games during their 125 seasons.

September 12, 2015: 1,200th football game

On September 12, 2015, the game against Massachusetts was the school's 1,200th football game.

2016: MacIntyre named Walter Camp 2016 Coach of the Year

In 2016, Mike MacIntyre lead Colorado to a 10–2 regular season and was named the Walter Camp 2016 Coach of the Year by the Walter Camp Foundation. MacIntyre was also awarded the 2016 Pac-12 Coach of the Year, American Football Coaches Association's coach of the year and comeback coach of the year awards, the Associated Press coach of the year, and the Eddie Robinson coach of the year by the Football Writers Association of America.

2016: Home record through 2016 season

Through the 2016 season, Colorado has a 308–169–14 record at home since Folsom Field was built in 1924.

November 18, 2018: Mike MacIntyre fired as head coach

On November 18, 2018, Mike MacIntyre was fired as the head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes after a six-game losing streak.

2018: Won against Nebraska in Lincoln

In 2018, Colorado traveled to Lincoln and won against Nebraska 33–28 for the first time since 2007 and the first time in Lincoln since 2004.

September 7, 2019: Colorado mounted an improbable comeback win

On September 7, 2019, Colorado mounted an improbable comeback after being down 17–0 at half, to win the game against Nebraska in overtime, 34–31.

2020: Plans to reissue uniform numbers

In 2020, Colorado announced plans to reissue uniform numbers 24, 67, and 11, with a commemorative patch.

2022: All-time record as of 2022 season

As of the 2022 season, the Buffs all-time record is 716–520–36 (.577 winning percentage).

2022: Deion Sanders named Head Football Coach

In 2022, Mike Sanford was named interim Head Coach after Karl Dorrell was fired. On December 3, 2022, Colorado announced Deion Sanders as Head Football Coach.

2022: Utah leads series through 2022 season

Through the 2022 season, Utah leads the series against Colorado 34-32-3.

November 1, 2023: Big 12 opponents revealed

On November 1, 2023, Colorado's Big 12 opponents from 2024 through 2027 were revealed.

December 19, 2023: Announced schedules

The schedules for the Colorado Buffaloes were announced on December 19, 2023.

2023: Nebraska lost to Colorado

In 2023, Nebraska lost 36-14 to Colorado in Boulder.

2023: Lead in series against Colorado State Rams

Through the 2023 season, the Buffaloes lead the series against the Colorado State Rams 67–22–2.

2024: Nebraska won against Colorado

In 2024, Nebraska won against Colorado 28-10.

2024: Returned to Big 12

In 2024, the Colorado Buffaloes returned to the Big 12 after 13 seasons in the Pac-12.

2024: Big 12 opponents revealed

On November 1, 2023, Colorado's Big 12 opponents from 2024 through 2027 were revealed.

2025: Shedeur Sanders' and Travis Hunter's numbers had been retired

In 2025 Shedeur Sanders' and Travis Hunter's numbers had been retired. Despite the controversy, they were drafted in the 2025 NFL draft as the 144th and 2nd pick respectively.

2027: Big 12 opponents revealed

On November 1, 2023, Colorado's Big 12 opponents from 2024 through 2027 were revealed.

2031: Future Games

Future Colorado Buffaloes football games beyond 2031 were announced.

2032: Future Games

Future Colorado Buffaloes football games beyond 2031 were announced, including a game vs. North Texas on Sept. 4, 2032.

2033: Future Games

Future Colorado Buffaloes football games beyond 2031 were announced, including a game at North Texas on Sept. 3, 2033 and a game vs. Colorado State on Sept. 17, 2033.