CU Denver’s students, like many students at other universities, share a desire to identify with and express pride in their university.
CU Denver’s continued physical expansion, both on Auraria Campus and in downtown Denver, combined with a burgeoning club sports program—men’s hockey, men’s and women’s soccer and women’s volleyball and cheer/dance—resulted in strong interest among the student body for its own mascot.
A campus-specific mascot promotes a greater level of awareness, differentiation and focus for CU Denver student identification, involvement and community pride.
1CU Denver students, alumni, faculty and staff selected the Canada lynx as CU Denver’s mascot through a series of open and inclusive surveys administered during the 2011-12 and 2012-13 academic years.
3The name Milo is a combination of CU Denver’s two locations: Denver’s nickname as the Mile High City and downtown Denver's historic LoDo (lower downtown) area. The name was submitted by one of our own CU Denver students.
4Chances are, if you were a CU Denver student, alumnus, faculty member or staff member during the 2011-12 or 2012-13 academic years, then you were part of the mascot development process.
CU Denver’s Student Government Association brought the idea of introducing a mascot to the Office of Student Life and university leadership. Ultimately, a mascot development committee was formed, including members from Student Government, Student Life, University Communications and Alumni, Outreach and Events.
During the development process, current CU Denver students, alumni, faculty and staff were given several opportunities—via online and in-person surveys, focus groups and informal interviews—to provide input on the mascot type, personality, name and visual identity. University leadership was involved at key decision points to ensure the end result built upon CU Denver’s overall mission and brand.
2The mascot is for the CU Denver community: our students, alumni, faculty and staff. The CU Denver mascot’s purpose is to build and promote a sense of university pride and spirit.
5No, the CU Denver Lynx mascot represents the Denver Campus only. Though CU Anschutz was involved in the initial mascot process, the medical campus student leadership and executive leadership chose not to participate in a mascot program at this time.
6Chip, the costumed character, and the Ralphie buffalo logo are part of CU-Boulder’s athletics program. They, along with all logos or references to the University of Colorado Buffaloes, are exclusive to CU-Boulder’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and may not be used to identify with CU Denver or CU Anschutz Medical Campus. Chip and Ralphie have always been for the promotion of CU-Boulder athletics only and not intended or authorized to promote any other campus.
The same applies to Clyde, the costumed character, and Mountain Lion logo for UCCS. They, along with all logos or references to the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Mountain Lions, are exclusive to UCCS’ Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Find more information on use of CU-Boulder’s or UCCS’ athletics identities.
7Milo the Lynx’s calendar and schedule can be found at CU Denver Lynx Mascot.
8Milo the Lynx appears at select official university events and may be requested for appearances at on-campus, off-campus and non-university related activities.
9The best way to request an appearance is to submit a mascot appearance request form (PDF) to Club Sports in the Office of Student life. Please, email completed forms to clubsports@ucdenver.edu.
Appearances are based on availability, and there is no guarantee of appearance. Priority is given to university events. If you have general questions about mascot appearances, contact Club Sports.
10For official university events there will be no fee or a nominal fee based on the details of the event.
For private events, the fee will be an hourly rate and gas/mileage. High schools and other nonprofit organizations may contact Club Sports to negotiate an appearance rate.
11The CU Denver Lynx logos and character illustration were designed by Adrenalin, Inc., a Denver-based agency and leader in sports marketing.
Milo the Lynx costume was designed by Alinco Costumes, a veteran organization and leader in the performance mascot costume industry.
12CU Denver spirit apparel and merchandise is currently available at the Auraria Bookstore.
13No. As part of our global brand position, the basic design for university stationery (including business cards, letterhead and envelopes) is consistent throughout the University of Colorado System. In all but a few cases, logo use is limited to the primary univeristy or campus signature. School, college and/or unit logos—as well as any spirit identity or mascot elements—are not permitted.
As an athletics office, CU Denver’s Club Sports department may use the mascot logo on their offiical stationery elements.
Find more information on university stationery.
14Milo the Lynx, the costumed character, is managed by Club Sports in the Office of Student Life. This includes coordination of all mascot performers, mascot coach and performer appearances, events, promotions and try-outs.
The CU Denver mascot’s visual representation—including use of the mascot name and marks, icons, wordmarks and character illustration—is co-managed by the Office of Student Life and University Communications.
More information on CU Denver mascot’s appearance and usage guidelines can be found on the CU Denver Mascot Identity webpage.
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