The 1996 Colorado Buffaloes football team represented the University of Colorado at Boulder as a member of the North Division of the newly-formed Big 12 Conference during the 1996 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by second-year head coach Rick Neuheisel, the Buffaloes compiled an overall record of 10âÂÂ2 in a mark of 7âÂÂ1 in conference play, placing second in the Big 12 North. Colorado was invited to the Holiday Bowl, where the Buffalos defeated Washington. The team played home games at Folsom Field in Boulder, Colorado.
With the bowl victory, Colorado recorded its third straight 10-win season for the first time in program history.