Ralphie V Quick On Her Feet

The newest addition to the Colorado mascot family is Ralphie V, who, like Ralphie IV, was donated to CU from a Ted Turner ranch. Ralphie V was born in October 2006 on the Vermejo Park Ranch in Northern New Mexico. She was named "Blackout" by CU Ralphie Handlers as she was the darkest calf in the herd.

Ralphie V was introduced to the public at "Ralphie’s Salute to a New Era" on November 17,2007.

Colorado's spring game was Ralphie V's first action in front of a Buffs crowd. And like the football team's new no-huddle offense, this Ralphie will be noticeably quicker than last year's. Her predecessor, the retired Ralphie IV, had been the mascot since 1998 and was a relatively ancient 10 years-old when she made her final rounds in 2007.

Asked what the biggest difference is with Ralphie V, program director Gail Pederson didn't hesitate.

"Ralphie V is very, very fast. She's a rocket ship," Pederson said. "Just being a one-and-a-half year-old buff compared to a 10 year-old, the speed is just really different."