This Friday, the Wyoming Cowboys head south to Fort Collins for the 116th edition of the “Border War” against the Colorado State Rams, celebrating 125 years of one of college football’s oldest and fiercest rivalries. As the oldest rivalry for both schools, the Border War has seen generations of fans rally behind their teams across three centuries.
Wyoming vs. Colorado State: What Is the Border War?
The rivalry earned its “Border War” moniker because it is a war along the Wyoming-Colorado border — sometimes, it really is that simple. The two campuses are roughly 65 miles apart via U.S. Route 287.
However, this Mountain West matchup isn’t just about pride — it’s about claiming the coveted “Bronze Boot” trophy, a symbol of grit and tradition since 1968.
The trophy is made from an actual combat boot worn in Vietnam by the late Army Captain Dan Romero, a Pueblo native and former ROTC instructor at CSU, who donated it upon his return.
Each year, the boot sits on the sideline of the reigning champion, guarded by that team’s ROTC cadets. After every game, players on the winning team dash to the trophy, raising it triumphantly at midfield.
In a ritual honoring the rivalry’s deep roots, ROTC members from both universities conduct a 65-mile relay, running the game ball along Route 287 from one campus to the other.
They meet at the state line for a ceremonial handoff at noon on the day before the game, a symbolic gesture that fuels the anticipation. This year, the game ball will make its way to Moby Arena Friday night, joining the crowd between the women’s and men’s basketball games.
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The 2024 edition of the game will be the 57th meeting in the “Bronze Boot” portion of the series, with Wyoming owning a 31-25 record since its introduction.
While the Rams lead the all-time series 59-51-5, the Cowboys have held the upper hand in recent decades, leading 46-32 over the past 79 consecutive seasons.
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