Colorado's Live Mascot Ralphie VI Retires, School Cites 'Indifference to Running'

Colorado will be without a key staple of its routine during home games to start the 2025 season.

The Buffaloes announced on Tuesday that their live mascot, Ralphie VI, nicknamed Ember, has retired after four years. The school cited an "indifference to running" as the reason for her moving on to becoming a companion buffalo to Ralphie V.

Colorado stated that Ralphie VII is still in training and there is "no exact timeline" for her debut, so the football team will be without a live mascot for Friday's season opener against Georgia Tech.

Colorado's Ralphie Run has been a part of the team's routine since 1967. The buffalo typically runs a horseshoe pattern around Folsom Field prior to each half during home games.

Despite losing Ralphie VI for the start of the 2025 season, it can be expected that Colorado head coach Deion Sanders will make sure the Buffaloes maintain their swag as they begin a new era.