Photo: The University of Colorado building, completed in 1876 and later known as Old Main, is pictured in this 1889 photo. (Courtesy of Denver Public Library Special Collections, X-11769)
This story by Chase Woodruff appeared on Colorado Newsline on January 16, 2026. It’s part of Newslines’ Colorado at 150, featuring special reports on the people and history that define the state of Colorado.
On the morning of Jan. 15, 1876, the town of Boulder’s leading citizens gathered at the train depot to welcome a special passenger car carrying Colorado Gov. John Routt and about 50 other dignitaries from the territorial capital, who had been invited to inspect the future site of the soon-to-be state’s flagship university…