Overview
- The Colorado Buffaloes’ signature athletics colors are CU Black, CU Gold and CU Silver, with CU White used as an approved supporting color.
- This guide includes the official HEX, RGB, CMYK and Pantone references published by Colorado Athletics and clearly identifies an inconsistency in the official silver values.
- These color references are useful for websites, digital graphics, presentations, print layouts, fan content and brand-reference work, subject to University of Colorado trademark rules.
Colorado Buffaloes Team Information
| Team Name | Colorado Buffaloes Football |
|---|---|
| League | NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) |
| Division | Big 12 Conference |
| Location | Boulder, Colorado |
| Home Stadium / Arena | Folsom Field |
| Official Website | Visit Colorado Buffaloes |
Colorado Buffaloes Color Codes
The official Colorado Buffaloes colors are commonly used across team branding, uniforms, digital graphics, fan designs, presentations and web projects. The table below lists the best available color values for HEX, RGB, CMYK and Pantone references. It follows the official Colorado Athletics NIL Brand Guidelines because that document is specific to the athletics identity.
| Color Name | Pantone | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CU Black | Rich Black | #000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 40, 30, 30, 100 |
| CU Gold | 4525 C | #CFB87C | 207, 184, 124 | 0, 10, 48, 22 |
| CU Silver | 422 C | #A2A4A3 | 182, 184, 186 | 0, 0, 0, 33 |
Official source and accuracy note: The official Colorado Athletics guide pairs CU Silver RGB 182, 184, 186 with HEX #A2A4A3, although those values are not exact mathematical equivalents. CU Boulder’s official campus visual identity page assigns HEX #A2A4A3 to RGB 162, 164, 163 and calls the color CU Light Gray. The campus guide also uses process black CMYK 0, 0, 0, 100, while the athletics guide specifies rich black CMYK 40, 30, 30, 100. Because this page covers the Colorado Buffaloes athletics brand, the table preserves the team-specific athletics values as officially published rather than silently replacing them. Review the official Colorado Athletics brand guide and the official CU Boulder visual identity guide before color-critical production.
CU White is also included in the official athletics guide as an approved supporting color: HEX #FFFFFF, RGB 255, 255, 255 and CMYK 0, 0, 0, 0. No Pantone value is officially published for CU White in that guide.
How to Use Colorado Buffaloes Colors
You can use the Colorado Buffaloes color codes for digital design, website elements, social media graphics, printable materials, fan artwork, presentations and sports-related content. HEX codes are typically best for websites, RGB values are useful for screens and digital design, while CMYK values are mainly used for print projects.
For accessible digital layouts, use strong contrast. CU Boulder’s official guidance states that standard CU Gold is not accessible on a white background, so it should not be used for normal body text on white. Black text on CU Gold and white text on black are safer high-contrast combinations for many common layouts, but each design should still be tested against current accessibility requirements.
Colorado Buffaloes HEX Color Codes
The main Colorado Buffaloes HEX color codes are #000000 for CU Black, #CFB87C for CU Gold and #A2A4A3 for CU Silver. These values are commonly used in web design, HTML, CSS, digital graphics and online branding references. CU White is #FFFFFF when a supporting neutral is needed.
Colorado Buffaloes RGB Color Codes
The Colorado Buffaloes RGB color codes are useful for screen-based designs, including social media posts, digital banners, video graphics and presentation slides. The official athletics guide lists CU Black as RGB 0, 0, 0; CU Gold as RGB 207, 184, 124; and CU Silver as RGB 182, 184, 186. RGB values define how red, green and blue light combine to display each team color on digital screens.
Colorado Buffaloes CMYK Color Codes
The Colorado Buffaloes CMYK color codes are most useful for printed materials such as flyers, posters, brochures and merchandise mockups. The athletics guide specifies CU Black as CMYK 40, 30, 30, 100; CU Gold as CMYK 0, 10, 48, 22; and CU Silver as CMYK 0, 0, 0, 33. Because print output can vary by printer, paper, ink and color profile, always request a proof or test print before final production.
Colorado Buffaloes Pantone Colors
Pantone values are useful when designers need consistent color matching across professional print and branding materials. The official Colorado Athletics guide lists CU Gold as Pantone 4525 C, CU Silver as Pantone 422 C and CU Black as Rich Black. CU White does not have an officially published Pantone value in that guide. Pantone references should be treated as production specifications only when they come directly from the current official brand documentation.
FAQ About Colorado Buffaloes Color Codes
What are the official Colorado Buffaloes colors?
The signature Colorado Buffaloes athletics colors are CU Black, CU Gold and CU Silver. CU White is also included as an approved supporting color in the official Colorado Athletics guide. These colors are used across athletics marks, uniforms, digital assets and fan-facing designs.
What is the HEX code for Colorado Buffaloes colors?
The main Colorado Buffaloes HEX codes are #000000 for CU Black, #CFB87C for CU Gold and #A2A4A3 for CU Silver. CU White is #FFFFFF. HEX codes are ideal for websites, HTML, CSS and digital design projects.
Can I use Colorado Buffaloes colors for my own design project?
You can use Colorado Buffaloes color codes for personal design references, fan content and non-commercial projects. For commercial use, merchandise or official branding, check the university’s current usage guidelines, licensing requirements and trademark rules before publishing or selling any design. Colors alone do not grant permission to use protected Colorado Buffaloes names, logos or marks.
What is the Pantone color for Colorado Buffaloes gold?
The official Colorado Athletics guide identifies CU Gold as Pantone 4525 C. Its published supporting values are HEX #CFB87C, RGB 207, 184, 124 and CMYK 0, 10, 48, 22.
Why do the official CU Silver RGB and HEX values not match exactly?
The official athletics guide publishes CU Silver as RGB 182, 184, 186 and HEX #A2A4A3, but #A2A4A3 mathematically converts to RGB 162, 164, 163. This appears to be an inconsistency within the official document. For team-specific reference, this article reports the athletics values exactly as published and flags the mismatch rather than presenting an unverified correction as official.
Should I use rich black or process black for Colorado Buffaloes designs?
For athletics-specific print work, the official Colorado Athletics guide specifies rich black at CMYK 40, 30, 30, 100. CU Boulder’s broader campus visual identity guide lists black as CMYK 0, 0, 0, 100. Use the athletics specification for Buffaloes-focused production unless a current project brief, licensed vendor or official brand representative provides different instructions.
Is CU Gold accessible for text on a white background?
CU Boulder’s official visual identity guidance states that standard CU Gold is not accessible on a white background. Avoid using #CFB87C for normal body text on white, and test all foreground and background combinations for sufficient contrast before publishing.
