Ralphie VI has arrived

BOULDER — The rumors had swirled for months but now the word is out: Colorado has found Ralphie VI.

The University of Colorado’s athletic department announced Wednesday that the next live buffalo mascot has been found. The Buffs took to Twitter to break the news, giving fans a first glimpse of the sixth buffalo to serve as Ralphie.

Pride & Tradition.

Welcome to the herd, Ralphie VI. pic.twitter.com/jx78Z5c8DF

— Colorado Buffaloes (@CUBuffs) September 1, 2021

Apparently Ralphie VI attended a football practice recently, since CU’ football account tweeted photos of the team meeting the best mascot in America.

Nice to meet ya, @CUBuffsRalphie VI 🦬 pic.twitter.com/PyruqQcw5s

— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) September 1, 2021

So far, these are about the only looks we’ve gotten of Ralphie VI but plenty more are on the way. The 15-month-old buffalo will be on hand when CU opens its football season Friday night at Folsom Field and she may lead the team onto the field, though there’s no guarantee. It’s anybody’s guess how a baby buffalo will react to 50,000 screaming football fans.

“All of Ralphie’s training is completed with positive reinforcement, and ultimately the decision on whether or not she runs will always depend on her safety and that of her handlers,” Taylor Stratton, the head of the Ralphie Program, said in a press release Wednesday.

Ralphie VI was born May 27, 2020 in northwest Nebraska, but was abandoned by her mother at birth. The orphan Buffalo was raised in part by a cow on a ranch in the region. While Ralphie’s Nebraska roots may raise some eyebrows, the owner of the ranch is a black-and-gold-bleeding CU grad and so are four of his family members.

Ralphie began training with the Ralphie Program in November 2020 and his since proven capable of fulfilling the duties required… while growing to nearly 500 pounds. Previous Ralphies have weighed in at about 1,300 pounds once they reach full size. While Ralphie VI should reach full-size in time for the 2024 season, predicting Buffalo growth is tough to do.

Ralphie VI succeeds Ralphie V, who retired during the 2019 season. She retired because she was too energetic and her handlers couldn’t run her around Folsom Field safely. According to the release, Ralphie V is in good health and enjoying her retirement after a 12-year career.

The search for Ralphie VI began as soon as Ralphie V retired and CU decided over the summer that they were ready to give her the prestigious name.

“I couldn’t be more excited to introduce Ralphie VI this Friday night,” athletic director Rick George said in the release.  “This will be a really special moment in our Ralphie history as Ralphie VI makes her first appearance to open our 2021 season.  Colorado football is synonymous with Ralphie and I’m ecstatic to continue this tradition with Ralphie VI as the best tradition in college athletics.”