Athletics Logos & Licensing
Intercollegiate Athletics Marks
The use of athletics marks (e.g.,“Ralphie”and the athleticsinterlocking CU) are exclusive to theDepartment of Intercollegiate Athletics.They may be used in limited school-spirit instances, as approved by the CUBoulder Identity Manager and the Department of Trademarks & Licensing.
What Qualifies as School-Spirit Use?
- School spirit entails use of the“Ralphie”logo specificallymeant to represent the competitive or emotional connectionwe feel for the Colorado Buffaloes.
- In circumstances that require a sense of school spirit and the identification of the University of Colorado Boulder, the“Ralphie”logo can be used in conjunction with theCUBoulder logo.
- Any instance related to the university’s overarching teaching,research, and service mission that does not involve schoolspirit as defined above (e.g., academic events, researchposters, name badges, commencement robes, etc.) requiresthe use of the CUBoulder logo as the primary identifier andnot the “Ralphie” logo.
The following scenarios define the accepted school-spirit usesof the“Ralphie”logo.
Note: As with alluniversity logos, the“Ralphie”logo maynot be modified or redesigned in any way.
Scenario 1:“Ralphie” Logo Only
- Club sports apparel
- Bookstore merchandise and store visual identity
- Events related to athletics programming (e.g., pregame celebrations, etc.)
- Recreation Center athletic venues (e.g., logo under the ice, logos on athletics courts, etc.)
- Select awards, by request
The“Ralphie”logo may not be usedin conjunction with a campus-specificidentifier other than CUBoulder.However, CU campuses may use the“Ralphie”logo on merchandise to express a connection to the Buffaloes.The“Ralphie”logo may not be usedin conjunction with a corporate logo,except as allowed by specific sponsorship/licensing agreements managedvia the Department of Athletics. Theathletics interlocking CU should neverbe used for non-athleticapplications.
Scenario 2:“Ralphie” Logo andCUBoulder Logo
Select university/staff apparel (e.g., incomingstudent T-shirts, some Division of StudentAffairs shirts, alumni/donor-related apparel,etc.). TheVisual Identity Manager will review each request and provide approvalon a case-by-case basis.
Communication uses and signage thatexpress a sense of school spirit/“Buff”community (eg., Buff buses) within auniversity context.
“Ralphie”logo as the dominantvisual element, with CU Boulderlogo as university ID (e.g., bookstore planner covers). The "Ralphie" logo may not be used inconjunction with any campusidentifier other than theCUBoulder logo.The athletics interlocking CU should neverbe used for nonathletic applications.
Scenario 3: CU Boulder Logo Only
- College/school/unit-specificcommunications
- Academic/research-related events (e.g.,commencement, Fall Convocation,symposia, etc.)
- Permanent signage (except athleticfacilities)
- University marketing/advertising
- Business communications (letterhead, etc.)
Whenever the university name is used, theofficial CUBoulder logo should serve asthe identifier. The“Ralphie” logo shouldnot be directly associated with the words“University of Colorado Boulder” at anytime (“Colorado,” “Colorado Buffs,” “Buffaloes,” “Buffs,” etc., are acceptable).The athletics interlocking CU (below) shouldneverbe used for non-athletic applications.
How Do I Request Approval?
The Visual Identity Manager reviews all uses of the“Ralphie”logo. Pleasesubmit your request to use a “Ralphie”logo. Requestswill be reviewed within three to fivebusiness days.
Licensing Program
The university’s licensing program, implemented by the Department of IntercollegiateAthletics, provides oversight of the“Ralphie”logo and other valuable universitytrademarks.It helps the university generate revenue fromthe sale of licensed merchandise and extend its public visibility by ensuring qualityand consistency in how its marks are used.
Licensed Vendors
While internal campus entities do notrequire a license to use the “Ralphie” logo(as approved by the committee), a licensedvendor must be used for all apparel production and printing that includes the logo.For a list of licensed vendors approved toreproduce the “Ralphie” logo or to obtain alicense,.
