BOULDER, Colo — The Colorado Buffaloes’ most famous fan, Peggy Coppom, is celebrating her 100th birthday week with a whirlwind of festivities. 
Saturday, the soon-to-be centenarian was among the guests for CU’s 49-24 victory over Utah at Folsom Field. The crowd of 54,646 sang “Happy Birthday” to her in the fourth quarter.
“Miss Peggy, in her own tremendous, loving way, she gives all of us hope,” Buffs head coach Deion Sanders said Tuesday. “She gives all of us the unspeakable joy, the love, the respect. You know how many decades that we’re apart? But we still found one another? I thank God for that.” 
Sunday, she wore a crown and sash for a birthday party with her large family and CU friends, including mascot Chip. Amid the celebration, she said she wished her twin sister and best friend Betty Hoover was here, too. 
“I’m crying partly because I can’t believe all of you would come to be with me today, and I really feel bad that Betty is not with me,” she said. “She was with me when we started all this.” 
The two were a fixture in the stands at Buffs games for decades. Betty Hoover died in August 2020.
Peggy will celebrate her birthday again Monday night at the women’s basketball game, ahead of the big day Tuesday.