Colorado’s affinity for the Big8/XII is very strong. It’s like TDS’ looking back at the WAC when LaVell Edwards was coach.
Colorado was early to bail from the Pac and while USC/UCLA and Oregon/Washington contributed to the downfall of the Pac. Colorado jumping as early as they did was the nail in the coffin. As the only Pac team East of the Rockies they never felt they belonged west. They are closet plains people. Never mind the fact Boulder is close to the flatirons.
Any future Pac movement of teams will not include Colorado.