Notable Alumni of University of Colorado Boulder

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf 1938–

24th president of Liberia

Also attended: Harvard University, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj 1963–

Former President of Mongolia, 2009–2017

Also attended: Harvard University

Lynne Cheney 1941–

Author, scholar and former Second Lady

Also attended: Colorado College, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Spouse: Dick Cheney (Yale University, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Child: Mary Cheney (Colorado College, University of Denver)

Cory Gardner 1974–

Former U.S. senator from Colorado

Juris Doctor · Class of 2001

Also attended: Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Kate Brown 1960–

38th governor of Oregon

Also attended: Lewis & Clark College

Mahnaz Afkhami 1941–

Former Iranian women's affairs minister and activist

Master of Arts

Spouse: Gholam Reza Afkhami (University of California-Berkeley)

Bill Ritter 1956–

41st Governor of Colorado

Also attended: Colorado State University-Fort Collins

Spouse: Jeannie Ritter (University of Northern Colorado)

Joe Neguse 1984–

US Representative from Colorado

Bachelor of Arts, Juris Doctor · Class of 2009

Ed Perlmutter 1953–

Former US Representative from Colorado

Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Arts · Class of 1978

Byron White 1917–2002

US Supreme Court justice and former football player

Also attended: Yale University

Hank Brown 1940–

Former US Senator from Colorado

Juris Doctor, Bachelor of Science · Class of 1961

Also attended: George Washington University

Mike Coffman 1955–

Mayor of Aurora, Colorado; former U.S. representative

Attended until 1979

Roy Romer 1928–

39th governor of Colorado

Also attended: Colorado State University-Fort Collins, Yale University

Child: Paul M. Romer (University of Chicago)

Child: Chris Romer (Stanford University)

Eugene Millikin 1891–1958

U.S. senator from Colorado

Attended until 1913

Gordon Allott 1907–1989

Republican politician and lawyer

Bob Beauprez 1948–

Republican politician from Colorado

Bachelor of Science · Class of 1970

Anne Gorsuch Burford 1942–2004

First woman to serve as EPA Administrator

Child: Neil Gorsuch (Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York)

Wiley Rutledge 1894–1949

Associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court

Also attended: Maryville College, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Mark Leno 1951–

California state legislator representing San Francisco

Purnomo Yusgiantoro 1951–

Former Indonesian Minister of Defense

Also attended: Colorado School of Mines

Barry Goldwater Jr. 1938–

Former US congressman and stockbroker

Also attended: Arizona State University-Tempe

Father: Barry Goldwater (Arizona State University-Tempe, University of Arizona)

Domingo Siazon 1939–2016

Filipino diplomat

Also attended: Harvard University

Zhang Xinsheng 1948–

Former Chinese vice minister of education

Also attended: Harvard University

Steve Wozniak 1950–

Co-founder of Apple

Also attended: University of California-Berkeley, De Anza College

Bill Browder 1964–

Hermitage Capital co-founder and political activist

Also attended: University of Chicago, Stanford University

Father: Felix Browder (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Princeton University)

Child: Joshua Browder (Stanford University)

Charles Hoskinson 1987–

Founder of Cardano and Ethereum co-founder

Also attended: Metropolitan State University of Denver

Molly Bloom 1978–

Entrepreneur and author known as the Poker Princess

Jake Burton Carpenter 1954–2019

Founder of Burton Snowboards

Also attended: New York University

Jay Conrad Levinson 1933–2013

Business writer, author of Guerrilla Marketing

Kalpana Chawla 1962–2003

Indian-born astronaut and aerospace engineer

Master's degree, Doctor of Philosophy · Aerospace engineering · Class of 1988

Also attended: University of Texas-Arlington

Sidney Altman 1939–2022

Molecular biologist and Yale professor

Also attended: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Columbia University in the City of New York

Alan Kay 1940–

Pioneer of object-oriented programming and GUI design

Also attended: University of Utah

Spouse: Bonnie MacBird (Stanford University)

Scott Carpenter 1925–2013

One of the Mercury Seven astronauts

Also attended: United States Naval Academy

Jack Swigert 1931–1982

NASA astronaut and test pilot

Also attended: University of Hartford, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Theodore Maiman 1927–2007

Physicist credited with inventing the laser

Bachelor of Science · Engineering physics · Class of 1949

Also attended: Stanford University

Vance D. Brand 1931–

NASA astronaut and commander of three Space Shuttle missions

Also attended: University of California-Los Angeles

Hagen Kleinert 1941–2025

German theoretical physicist at Free University of Berlin

Also attended: Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Loren Acton 1936–

Physicist and astronaut on Space Shuttle STS-51-F

Doctor of Philosophy · Class of 1965

Also attended: Montana State University

Helen E. Fisher 1945–2024

Anthropologist and Kinsey Institute senior research fellow

Doctorate

Also attended: New York University

Amy Cuddy 1972–

Social psychologist and proponent of power posing

Bachelor of Arts · Psychology · Class of 1998

Also attended: University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Princeton University

Alan Stern 1957–

Planetary scientist, New Horizons principal investigator

Doctor of Philosophy · Planetary science, Astrophysics

Also attended: The University of Texas at Austin

Kenneth Carpenter 1949–

Paleontologist and author on dinosaurs

Samuel T. Durrance 1943–2023

Scientist and Space Shuttle payload specialist

Also attended: California State University-Los Angeles

Ronald M. Sega 1952–

Former astronaut and Under Secretary of the Air Force

Doctor of Philosophy · Electrical engineering

Also attended: United States Air Force Academy, Ohio State University-Main Campus

Spouse: Bonnie J. Dunbar (University of Houston, University of Washington-Seattle Campus)

Spencer Silver 1941–2021

Chemist who devised the Post-it adhesive

Also attended: Arizona State University-Tempe

Paul Cameron 1939–

Psychologist known for claims about homosexuality

Also attended: Azusa Pacific University, California State University-Los Angeles

Sarah Gillis 1994–

Engineer and Polaris Dawn astronaut

Aerospace engineering · Attended until 2016

Bob Widlar 1937–1991

Designer of linear integrated circuits

Helga Tawil-Souri 1969–

Palestinian-American media scholar at New York University

Also attended: University of Southern California

Jun Ye 1967–

Chinese-American physicist at JILA and CU Boulder

Doctor of Philosophy · Class of 1997

Also attended: University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Amanda Hendrix 1968–

Planetary scientist, CEO of Planetary Science Institute

Also attended: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

Megan Donahue 1962–

Astronomer and former American Astronomical Society president

Doctor of Philosophy · Astrophysics · Class of 1990

Also attended: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Joanna Fowler 1942–

Chemist at Brookhaven National Laboratory

Also attended: University of South Florida-Main Campus

Sara Branham 1888–1962

Microbiologist and physician, meningitis researcher

Doctor of Philosophy · Class of 1923

Also attended: Wesleyan College, University of Chicago

James I. Kirkland 1954–

Paleontologist and geologist

Steve Hanke 1942–

Economist, Johns Hopkins professor of applied economics

Sievert Allen Rohwer 1887–1951

Entomologist specializing in Hymenoptera

Honorary doctorate

Linda Williams 1946–2025

Film studies professor at UC Berkeley

Doctor of Philosophy

Also attended: University of California-Berkeley

Tom Maniatis 1943–

Molecular biologist, Columbia University professor

Also attended: Vanderbilt University

Jonathan Dowling 1955–2020

Theoretical physicist known for quantum technology work

Doctor of Philosophy · Class of 1988

Also attended: The University of Texas at Austin

Song Yongyi 1949–

Historian specializing in the Cultural Revolution

Robert Redford 1936–2025

Actor, director and producer

Also attended: American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York, Pratt Institute-Main

Child: Amy Redford (San Francisco State University, University of Colorado Boulder)

Glenn Miller 1904–1944

Big band leader, arranger, composer and trombonist

Jonah Hill 1983–

Actor and filmmaker

Also attended: Bard College, The New School

Sibling: Beanie Feldstein (Wesleyan University)

Trey Parker 1969–

Animator, filmmaker and actor

Musicology, Japanese

Also attended: Berklee College of Music

Matt Stone 1971–

Animator, filmmaker and actor

Film studies, Mathematics

Dalton Trumbo 1905–1976

Screenwriter, one of the Hollywood Ten

Also attended: University of Southern California

Child: Christopher Trumbo (Columbia University in the City of New York)

Christopher Meloni 1961–

Actor known for Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Also attended: Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater

Judy Collins 1939–

Singer-songwriter and Grammy-winning recording artist

Also attended: MacMurray College

Jack Williamson 1908–2006

Science fiction writer called Dean of Science Fiction

Also attended: Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus

Angus T. Jones 1993–

Former actor who debuted at age six

Carey Lowell 1961–

Actress known for Law & Order and Licence to Kill

Also attended: Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater, New York University

Spouse: Griffin Dunne (Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theater)

Spouse: Richard Gere (University of Massachusetts-Amherst)

Sheryl Lee 1967–

Actress who played Laura Palmer in Twin Peaks

Drew Goddard 1975–

American filmmaker, writer and director

Ross Marquand 1981–

Actor known for The Walking Dead

Joan Van Ark 1943–

Actress known for Knots Landing

Also attended: Yale University

Child: Vanessa Marshall (Princeton University)

Sheree J. Wilson 1958–

Actress known for Dallas and Walker, Texas Ranger

Brian Dietzen 1977–

Actor, plays Dr. Jimmy Palmer on NCIS

Jean Stafford 1915–1979

Writer, 1970 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction winner

Bachelor of Arts, Master of Arts

Spouse: A. J. Liebling (Dartmouth College, Columbia University in the City of New York)

Spouse: Robert Lowell (Harvard University, Kenyon College)

Townes Van Zandt 1944–1997

Singer-songwriter known for Pancho and Lefty

Also attended: University of Houston

Larry Linville 1939–2000

Actor known as Frank Burns on M*A*S*H

Kate Grenville 1950–

Australian author and creative writing teacher

Master of Arts · Creative writing · Class of 1982

Caitlín R. Kiernan 1964–

Paleontologist and science fiction, dark fantasy writer

Geology, Zoology · Attended until 1990

Also attended: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Erinn Hayes 1976–

American actress and comedian

Joey Diaz 1963–

Stand-up comedian, actor and podcaster

Eugene O'Brien 1880–1966

Silent film star and stage actor

Eric Stough 1972–

Animation director and producer of South Park

Eric Darnell 1960–

Animator and co-director of Madagascar

Also attended: California Institute of the Arts

Amy Redford 1970–

Actress, director and producer

Also attended: San Francisco State University

Father: Robert Redford (University of Colorado Boulder, American Academy of Dramatic Arts-New York)

Christopher B. Duncan 1970–

Actor known for The Jamie Foxx Show

Stephen Coonts 1946–

Spy thriller novelist

Also attended: West Virginia University

Parker Finn 1987–

Film director who created the Smile franchise

Bachelor of Arts · English-language literature

Also attended: Chapman University

Karen Duffy 1962–

Actress, writer and model

Linda Moulton Howe 1942–

Investigative reporter, documentary maker and ufologist

Also attended: Stanford University

Lydia Cornell 1953–

Actress known for ABC sitcom Too Close for Comfort

Also attended: University of Southern California

John De Andrea 1941–

Sculptor known for realistic human figures

Also attended: University of New Mexico-Main Campus

Yvor Winters 1900–1968

Poet and literary critic

Also attended: University of Chicago, Stanford University

Spouse: Janet Lewis (University of Chicago)

Bruce Conner 1933–2008

Artist known for assemblage, film and collage

Also attended: Wichita State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Spouse: Jean Conner (University of Colorado Boulder, University of Nebraska-Lincoln)

David Zindell 1952–

Science fiction and fantasy writer

Jake Goldberg 1996–

Actor, voiced Pablo in The Backyardigans

Scott Takeda 1967–

Actor, filmmaker and photographer

Dian Bachar 1970–

Actor in films by Trey Parker and Matt Stone

Taylor Lorenz 1984–

Technology columnist covering Internet culture

Also attended: Harvard University, Saint Mary's University of Minnesota, Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Bryan Fogel 2000–

Director of the Oscar-winning documentary Icarus

Chauncey Billups 1976–

Former NBA player and Trail Blazers head coach

Also attended: University of Colorado Denver

Sibling: Rodney Billups (University of Denver)

Derrick White 1994–

NBA player for the Boston Celtics

Flora Duffy 1987–

Bermudian triathlete and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist

Leon Allen White 1955–2018

Professional wrestler known as Big Van Vader

Child: Jake Carter (University of Oklahoma-Norman Campus)

Mary Decker 1958–

Middle-distance runner, 1983 World Championships gold medalist

Spouse: Richard Slaney (San Diego State University)

Jenny Simpson 1986–

Middle-distance runner, 2011 world 1500m champion

Emma Coburn 1990–

Steeplechase runner and world champion

Bill Toomey 1939–

1968 Olympic decathlon champion

Spencer Dinwiddie 1993–

Basketball player, last with FC Bayern Munich

Alec Burks 1991–

NBA player, 12th pick in the 2011 draft

Cory Higgins 1989–

Basketball player for CSKA Moscow and Barcelona

Father: Rod Higgins (California State University--Fresno)

André Roberson 1991–

Professional basketball player

Kara Goucher 1978–

Long-distance runner and two-time Olympian

Chris Copeland 1984–

Former pro basketball player, Colorado Buffaloes alumnus

Neha Ahuja 1981–

Indian alpine skier at the 2006 Winter Olympics

Burdette Haldorson 1934–2023

Basketball player at two Olympics

Robert Jeangerard 1933–2014

Basketball player at the 1956 Olympics

Dede Barry 1972–

Cyclist, 2004 Olympic time trial silver medalist

Arielle Gold 1996–

Snowboarder and Olympic medalist

Scott Wedman 1952–

Two-time NBA champion and All-Star

Morgan Pearson 1993–

Triathlete, Olympic mixed relay silver medalist

Also attended: Duke University

Tristan da Silva 2001–

German basketball player for the Orlando Magic

Sibling: Oscar da Silva (Stanford University)

Brendan Schaub 1983–

Former MMA fighter, podcaster and comedian

Luke Steyn 1993–

Zimbabwe's first Winter Olympian, alpine skier

Jeremy Dodson 1987–

American-Samoan sprinter

Also attended: University of Arkansas

Petra Hynčicová 1994–

Czech cross-country skier

Dathan Ritzenhein 1982–

Long-distance runner; former US 5,000 m record holder

Juli Furtado 1967–

Professional mountain biker

Joanne Reid 1992–

Biathlete who competed at three Winter Olympics

Master's degree

Mother: Beth Heiden (University of Vermont)

Jay Humphries 1962–

Former NBA player and D-League head coach

Tyler Bey 1998–

Basketball player, formerly of Colorado Buffaloes

Natalia Grossman 2001–

Professional rock climber

Attended until 2022

George King 1994–

Basketball player for San Miguel Beermen

Jabari Walker 2002–

Basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers

Father: Samaki Walker (University of Louisville)

Isabelle Fijalkowski 1972–

French basketball player

Jamahl Mosley 1978–

Head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans

Cliff Branch 1948–2019

Raiders wide receiver for 14 NFL seasons

Matt Bullard 1967–

Former NBA player with the Houston Rockets

Chuck Williams 1946–

Former NBA and ABA basketball player

Cliff Meely 1947–2013

Former NBA player for five seasons

K. J. Simpson 2002–

Professional basketball player

Communication

Chucky Jeffery 1991–

Basketball player formerly with the New York Liberty

Donnie Boyce 1973–

Former pro basketball player and high school coach

Travis Hunter 2003–

Cornerback and wide receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars

Bachelor's degree · Anthropology · Class of 2025

Also attended: Jackson State University

William Luther Pierce 1933–2002

Neo-Nazi and white nationalist activist

Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science · Physics · Class of 1962

Also attended: California Institute of Technology, Rice University

Nancy Spungen 1958–1978

Girlfriend of Sid Vicious, 1970s punk figure

Vine Deloria, Jr. 1933–2005

Author, scholar and Native American rights activist

Also attended: Iowa State University

Child: Philip J. Deloria (Yale University)

Marilyn Van Derbur 1937–

Miss Colorado 1957, author and speaker