Ralphie V
- Born: October 2006, Cimarron, New Mexico
- Died: Presently Alive
- Served: September 6, 2008 - November 23, 2019
- Folsom Field Games: 65
- Mile High Stadium Games: 10
- Away Stadium Games: 0
- Conference Championship Games: 0
- Bowl Games: 1
- Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran At Folsom Field: 31-34
- Football Team Record When Ralphie Ran At Any Game: 39-37
- Total Games: 76
Ralphie V was born in October 2006 on the Vermejo Park Ranch located in Cimarron, New Mexico, owned by Ted Turner. Like Ralphie IV, Ted Turner donated Ralphie V to the University. As the darkest calf in the herd, she was named Blackout by ranch hands. Ralphie Program Directors Benny Frei and Kevin Priola worked with Barney Coppedge, the Bison Manager at Vermejo Park Ranch, to bring Ralphie V to Colorado.
Ralphie V came to Colorado in January 2007 and was introduced to the public at "Ralphie’s Salute to a New Era" on November 17, 2007. A little over one-year-old when introduced, she weighed in at 450 pounds. Her debut game run came against Eastern Washington on September 6, 2008. Colorado won that game 31-24. Ralphie V is by far the fastest and largest of all the previous Ralphies.
At full maturity, Ralphie V weighs approximately 1,200 pounds and stands about 5 feet tall at her hump. Her growing stopped when she reached 4 years old, but not her speed or strength. She would complete her run around Folsom Field, about 225 yards, in less than 25 seconds.
At the end of the 2009 season, Priola retired from the program, and John Graves, a former Ralphie Handler, was brought on as the Assistant Director. In the summer of 2015 Graves was promoted to Program Manager, replacing Gail Pederson who retired after 20 years of helping the program. Frei retired from the Ralphie program at the conclusion of the 2016 season. Graves oversaw the day to day activities of the program and the training of the Handlers and Ralphie until he retired from the Ralphie program in Spring 2020. In the spring of 2016 Taylor Stratton, also a former Ralphie Handler, was brought on as the new Assistant Coach. Stratton took over the program from Graves in Spring 2020.
Ralphie V was initially transported in the same custom steel, black stock trailer that carried Ralphie III and IV. In 2012 a new, highly customized aluminum stock trailer was purchased through donations made to the program. In 2019, a larger and more comfortable trailer was purchased for Ralphie thanks to one generous donation to the program. In 2016, a new black leather harness and headstall was used for Ralphie, built by Bill Jesser Saddlery out of Longmont, Colorado. The new harness kept the iconic brass “CU” located on the front of her headstall, and the leather color was switched from brown to black. The brass CU logo was made by Ray “Butch” Cornell, the son of Ray Cornell who built the first Ralphie harness. The previous harness that she wore was also worn by Ralphie III and IV. Ralphie V wore the “Ralphie Blanket” for her first two season, but never liked to wear it during the remainder of her career.
Ralphie V ran at her final game on October 5, 2019, when Colorado lost to Arizona 30-35. She did not run the last three games of the 2019 season, with her retirement from running being announced on November 12, 2019. She attended the final game of the season on November 23, 2019 against Washington and welcomed the team onto the field from the sidelines. Her official retirement ceremony was held during halftime. Colorado beat Washington 20-14.
After 12 season leading Colorado onto the field, the consistency she had displayed in prior years was beginning to change. With past Ralphies, as they aged, their speed typically decreased; with Ralphie V, she was so excited and eager to run that she was running too fast, which created safety concerns for her and her handlers. As with all Ralphies, their safety and well-being are always a priority. Upon review of Ralphie’s behavior and moods it was decided that she was ready to retire.
Ralphie V led the team a total of 76 times, appearing 65 times at home, on 10 occasions at Mile High in Denver, and at the 2016 Alamo Bowl in San Antonio. Colorado was 8-2 in Denver against Colorado State when she ran in front some of the biggest crowds during her tenure and retired with a 39-37 record overall when leading the football team onto the field.
Ralphie V continues to live on her ranch with her companion buffalo, still receiving the best care from the Ralphie Program coaches and Handlers.