Forgotten Colorado History: The College Rivalry That Involved Dynamite, Kidnappings, and Explosions

The Wild West was a crazy time in Colorado and beyond, but just after the American frontier was considered over, two higher education institutions fired up a rivalry so fierce that the so-called pranks that were carried out may have been considered acts of terrorism by today’s standards.

The Origin of Colorado School of Mines vs. Denver University’s Rivalry

In 1919, Denver University, commonly referred to as DU, and the Colorado School of Mines in Golden were full-on rivals when it came to sports. In fact, the rivalry earned the DU students the nicknames of “Orediggers,” “Blasters,” and “Dynamiters” because they would galavant around Golden shooting pistols or even igniting sticks of dynamite in the streets to taunt the other students.

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However, on November 16, 1919, the students at the School of Mines would bring the rivalry to a new level.

Colorado School of Mines Blows Up DU’s Campus During Homecoming

At around 4 a.m. on November 16, 1919, a group of students from the School of Mines blew up 2.5 pounds of dynamite on the campus of DU during homecoming week, triggering an explosion so massive that many thought it was an earthquake.

The explosion not only shook the ground and nearby buildings, but reportedly shattered roughly 100 windows in University Hall, the Iliff School of Theology, Carnegie Library, and Memorial Chapel.

DU Gets Back at Colorado School of Mines

DU would be quick to retaliate as students traveled back to Golden to kidnap a group of students and a Denver Post reporter, shave their heads, clothe them in POW outfits, draw M’s in silver nitrate on their heads, and parade them through town.

Read More: Colorado Newspaper Makes Big Mistake Announcing Rivalry Winner

While this would prove to be the last stunt before a ceasefire was agreed upon, the caustic chemical on the students’ and the reporter’s heads remained for months afterward.