The Rocky Mountain Showdown is a football rivalry between Colorado State University and the University of Colorado-Boulder that began in 1893. The game was played nearly every year between 1899 and 1958, and became an annual Labor Day tradition in 1995.
Since 1998, the battle for state bragging rights has been played largely on neutral ground at Mile High Stadium, which is big enough to hold fans from both schools, and The Showdown will remain in Denver until 2020. However, the game was played at CSU’s Hughes Stadium in 1996, and at CU’s Folsom Field in 1997, 2004, 2005, and 2009.
Game tickets on sale
Get your Rocky Mountain Showdown tickets today! Visit csurams.com or call 800-491-RAMS (7267)
Since the 2009 game was played in Boulder, CSU will host the 2020 game at its new on-campus stadium, which hosted its first game ever on Aug. 26, a fitting kickoff to this year’s Rocky Mountain Showdown Week, Aug. 28-Sept. 1.
Look for CSU in Denver during Rocky Mountain Showdown Week and visit showdown.colostate.edu for the most up-to-date details and links to ticket information. And find even more information on the events below on the Alumni Association calendar.
Schedule of events
Monday, Aug. 28
CSU/CU Unified Games with Special Olympics on the CSU Recreational Fields in Fort Collins at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Aug. 29
Rocky Mountain Showdown Kickoff Happy Hour at Little Machine Beer, 2924 W. 20th Ave., Denver.
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Aug. 30
The Value of Research Institutions: Panel with CSU President Tony Frank and CU President Bruce Benson hosted by the Denver Post, at 101 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, 5:30-7 p.m.
Thursday, Aug. 31
CSU Alumni Association Ram Rally South
Viewhouse Centennial, 7101 S. Clinton St., Centennial
CSU Alumni Association Ram Rally North
CB Potts Westminster, 1257 W. 120th Ave., Westminster
Friday, Sept. 1
Rocky Mountain Showdown Game
Mile High Stadium, Denver
Parking lots open at 2 p.m.
Official CSU Tailgate begins at 2 p.m.
Kickoff at 6 p.m.
All-day apparel sale at the CSU Ram Zone, 475 17th St., Denver (donuts and coffee available for shoppers!)
Local spirit
The Denver metro area is home to nearly 60,000 CSU alumni. CSU has a location in downtown Denver, which is home to a Ram Zone CSU apparel store, as well as offices for staff within the CSU Alumni Association, CSU System, Advancement, Executive MBA, CSU Online, Continuing Education, and Athletics. Visit the CSU Denver Center at 475 17th St., on the corner of 17th Street and Glenarm Place, 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
Houses divided
How families split their loyalties between the Rams and the Buffs during the Rocky Muntain Showdown.
