150 Years of Transforming Lives
Who knows only his own generation remains always a child... the words inscribed on the West facade of CU Boulder's Norlin Library, named for CU President George Norlin
1876–1892: The Founding Era
The °µÍř˝űÇř’s founding coincided with Colorado’s statehood in 1876, embodying the state’s commitment to education and progress.ĚýOld Main rose as the first campus building, standing against the rugged backdrop of the Flatirons in Boulder. Joseph A. Sewall, the university’s first president, guided its formative years, while Mary Rippon broke barriers as one of the nation’s earliest female professors. Charles Franklin Holly, who wrote the bill to designate the university, embodied the aspirations of a frontier society seeking intellectual growth. Yet, this era’s story is incomplete without acknowledging the Indigenous lands on which CU Boulder was built and the overlooked contributions of women and peoples of color in its earliest days.
1892–1914: Expanding Horizons
The Progressive Era brought Enrollment climbed, new disciplines emerged, and the campus welcomed its first international students. CU Boulder’s earliest intercollegiate sports grew from the start of football, and student organizations flourished, reflecting a spirit of civic engagement and cultural exchange. Boulder evolved alongside the university, transitioning from a frontier town to a vibrant community. Also during this time, an extension of CU was established in Denver, marking the early days of what eventually grew into the . Missing from many accounts of this era of CU Boulder’s story are the voices of women, students of color, and the workers whose daily efforts sustained campus life.
1914–1939: The Great War, Depression and New Deal
CU Boulder weathered global upheaval during WWI and the Great Depression. Students enlisted, faculty adapted, and the influenza epidemic disrupted campus routines. CU’s moved to a new location in Denver, the first step toward what is now the . President George Norlin’s defiance of the Ku Klux Klan affirmed CU’s moral leadership during a challenging moment in Colorado history. Lucile Berkeley Buchanan’s graduation marked a milestone for Black women in higher education, though her inability to walk the stage at her own graduation underscores the breadth of racial barriers at the university. The New Deal reshaped CU Boulder’s architecture, giving rise to the iconic Tuscan Vernacular style of the CU Boulder campus developed by .Ěý
1939–1954: WWII, Cold War and Expansion
Training exercises at the U.S. Navy Japanese Language Training School at CU Boulder, courtesy of the Carnegie Museum for Local History
World War II transformed CU Boulder into a hub of scientific research and national service. The trained linguists vital to the war effort, while faculty advanced physics and engineering breakthroughs. Postwar expansion, fueled by the GI Bill, democratized access to education. The Conference on World Affairs (CWA) began in 1948 as United Nations Week. Alumni like Smead Aerospace alum Scott Carpenter soared into space, and faculty like Walter Orr Roberts pioneered climate science.Ěý The of making CU Boulder the only university in the world to send instruments to every planet in the solar system. Yet, the experiences of Japanese Americans and women in STEM fields on campus during this era of history raise questions related to identity, prejudice, civil rights, courage and what it means to be an American.
1954–1974: Civil Rights and Social Change
Chicano protest at CU Boulder. Photo by Juan Espinosa. Source:
Like many college campuses across the country, CU Boulder was an important site for advocacy, protest and social transformation during the 1950s to 1970s. Racial equity efforts gained traction, led by advocates like Mildred and Charles Nilon. Faculty continued to advance CU Boulder’s reputation for groundbreaking research and creative work, resulting in the university’s addition to the in 1966. Student activism surged amid Vietnam War protests. The Chicano social justice movement’s efforts to achieve parity of racial representation within the student body figured prominently in CU Boulder’s history during this time, centered on the tragedy of in 1974. CU Boulder students led in establishing the environmental movement in the United States through the establishment of the nation’s first student-led environmental center and recycling program. After growing from the university’s extension beginning in the 1920s, the was officially founded as a distinct University of Colorado campus in 1974. Missing from many narratives during this era of CU Boulder’s history are LGBTQ+ voices and Indigenous activism, mirroring dynamics happening across the nation at the time. Today, University Libraries has a collection of the Boulder Gay Liberation—an on-campus student group from the 1970s and 1980s. In 2023, students .
1974-1996: Modernization, Growth and Technological Advancements
Early distance learning technology at CU Boulder. Source: Computer Science
CU Boulder entered the global stage, expanding research institutes and forging around the world. Faculty pioneered transformative advances in chemistry, computing, physics, environmental science, space, energy, entrepreneurship and other disciplines, leading to the university’s first . Alumni created new businesses in tech, food, communications, recreation and other industries that helped shape a rapidly developing digital landscape worldwide. Classrooms began leveraging distance learning technology, and computer labs became a feature of the campus academic experience. Cultural and artistic expression among CU Boulder faculty, students and alumni flourished, reflecting the dynamism of an era defined by technological change. CU Buffs athletics achieved t and continued to build upon its dominant legacy in Olympic sports. Yet, during this time, the contributions of staff and underrepresented students remain under documented, and ongoing advocacy for equity and sustainability continue among students, faculty and staff on the Boulder campus.
1996-2016: The New Millennium
Entering the 21st century, CU Boulder embraced rapid technological change and global connectivity. The campus expanded its research footprint, becoming a leader in aerospace, biotechnology, and renewable energy. The university strengthened its role in research partnerships while fostering innovation through the establishment of entrepreneurial programs and interdisciplinary institutes like ATLAS. Student life evolved with a growing emphasis on inclusion, sustainability, and digital learning. Landmark facilities such as the Jennie Smoly Caruthers Biotechnology Building and the Center for Community reflected a commitment to collaboration and student support. This era marked CU Boulder’s transformation into a globally recognized hub for research and innovation, with CU Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) successful launch of the  Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution (MAVEN) mission a major achievement on November 18, 2013.
2016—2026: Looking Forward
CU Boulder’s most recent decade has been defined by resilience, adaptability, and forward-thinking vision. The university navigated unprecedented challenges, including the , while accelerating investments in online education and hybrid learning models. Sustainability initiatives advanced CU’s leadership in climate research and carbon neutrality goals. Major campus projects, such as the expansion of the and the creation of the CU Boulder Center for Leadership, underscored a focus on preparing students for a rapidly changing world. As CU marks its 150th anniversary, the institution continues to champion innovation, equity, and global impact—shaping the future of education and research for generations to come.