Colorado’s new turf field inside Folsom Field is a sign the Buffs are ready for big-time football

It’s not just new turf. It’s a new era.

Folsom Field—our century-old sanctuary tucked beneath the Flatirons—has officially traded in its blades of grass for the latest high-performance AstroTurf, and after getting a good, long look at it this week, I’ll say this:

It’s clean. It’s sharp. And it means business.

For those of us who grew up watching Ralphie tear across that natural grass, this change comes with some hesitation. Folsom’s soul always felt tied to the natural grass. But now that the turf is down? It’s hard not to feel like this was the right call.

The look: bold and big-time

If you’ve seen the photos or the drone footage—if not, go look—you already know this thing pops. The dark black end zones with “BUFFALOES” in clean gold block letters? The vibrant green surface under the Colorado sun? It’s going to look electric on TV.

And make no mistake, that matters now.

This is a team with national attention. This is a stadium that’s hosting more big moments. The Buffs aren’t sneaking up on anyone anymore. Everything about the way Colorado presents itself has to match the ambition of Coach Prime—and this new turf does just that.

Last season was just the start. This year, it’s the field. If you're sensing a theme, you're not alone. Folsom Field is catching up to the spotlight.

The surface: smart and future-proof

This isn’t your average fake grass. The university didn’t cheap out here. This is AstroTurf’s RootZone 3D3 Diamond Series—a dual-fiber system that plays like natural grass, holds up in cold weather, and was specifically chosen with player safety and durability in mind.

It’s also playoff-ready.

CU Athletic Director Rick George said as much earlier this spring. With the expanded College Football Playoff format, Boulder has to be ready to host meaningful games in late December. That’s just not feasible on grass. Not here.

And if the Buffs are serious about competing into the postseason—and all signs say they are—this is a necessary step.

The history: a return to what once worked

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time turf has touched Folsom. The Buffs installed AstroTurf back in 1971 and upgraded to AstroTurf-8 in the late ’80s—right in time for Coach Mac's Big Eight title runs. The grass era returned in ’99, and lasted for 26 years. So this isn’t sacrilege. It’s just the next chapter.

Yes, we'll miss the imperfections of natural grass. The cleat marks. The earth flying on a big hit. But by mid-October, that field often looked more like a construction zone than a playoff venue.

This new surface is about functionality, sustainability, and readiness for big football. The Denver Broncos may follow suite.

The vision: aligning with what Coach Prime is building

If Deion Sanders has made anything clear, it’s that he’s not here to keep things the same. He’s here to elevate. To transform.

And that doesn’t just mean changing the roster or flipping recruits. It means looking around and asking: “Does this place match the product we’re trying to put on the field?”

The new turf is part of that answer.

Colorado isn’t just along for the ride anymore. We’re trying to lead the pack. Be the destination. Host the spotlight—and look damn good doing it.

Whether it’s a night game against Oklahoma State, or a potential playoff scenario in December, Folsom is now a stage worthy of the program’s ambitions.

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