Old Main

Old Main is the heart of CU Boulder’s history and the university’s oldest standing building. Constructed in 1876, the same year Colorado achieved statehood, it was the first building on campus and stood alone on a windswept mesa surrounded by grasses and cacti. When it opened, Old Main served nearly every function of the young university, housing classrooms, laboratories, a library, administrative offices and even living quarters for the university president and his family.

As CU Boulder grew, Old Main evolved alongside it. The building quickly became a hub of academic and campus life, accommodating expanding collections, faculty and students. Although plans were considered in the 1920s to demolish the aging structure, university leaders instead chose to preserve it through a major structural renovation. A second comprehensive restoration in the 1980s modernized the building, restored its historic chapel and helped ensure that one of the university’s most recognizable landmarks would remain part of campus for future generations.

Today, Old Main stands as a symbol of CU Boulder’s enduring spirit and rich heritage. Home to Arts and Sciences faculty offices, the historic Chapel Theatre and the CU Heritage Center, the building connects visitors to nearly 150 years of university history. As generations of students, faculty and alumni have passed through its doors, Old Main has remained a constant presence, embodying the university’s commitment to learning, discovery and public service.