 Local articles first reported that Claude Bates of New Madrid , Missouri , and James Proffitt of Cincinnati , Ohio , were co @-@ winners for the prize as both submitted “ Buffaloes ” as their entry . However , a few days later , the newspaper declared Boulder resident Andrew Dickson the winner , after a follow @-@ up investigation revealed his submission of “ Buffaloes ” had actually arrived several days before those of the original winners . Through the years , synonyms which quickly came into use included “ Bisons , ” “ Buffs , ” “ Golden Avalanche , ” and “ Golden Buffaloes . ” 
