The Colts Drum and Bugle Corps (previously known as the Junior Dukes, Legionnaires, and Colt .45) is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Dubuque, Iowa. The Colts are part of the Colts Youth Organization and a member of Drum Corps International, along with their feeder corps, the Colt Cadets, which participates in Open Class.
History
The corps was founded in 1963 as the Junior Dukes, a junior corps to the Dukes of Dubuque, a senior corps. The Junior Dukes were sponsored by the local American Legion Post #6 and competed as a military style parade band. The corps performed for two years under that name before the Dukes of Dubuque disbanded in 1965. After the disbandment of the senior corps, the name was switched to the Legionnaires, and in 1966, the corps began to accept female members. By 1967, the corps was large enough to create a feeder corps known as the Cadets, and the Legionnaires began touring in regional VFW competitions.
In 1969, the corps changed their name again, then to the Colt .45 and Colt .45 Cadets. In 1971, the corps began to compete in VFW national competitions, earning as high as 5th place in 1973. That same year Colt .45 joined Drum Corps International, taking 28th in their first championship competition. Three years later, citing the negative association with both firearms and Colt 45 beer, the ".45" was dropped.
The Colts continue to compete as a member of Drum Corps International, earning their first finals spot in 1993. The Colts have been a consistent semifinalist every year from 1982 to 2023, earning their highest placements in 1995, 2023 and 2024 at 9th place. Alongside the drum and bugle corps, the Colts Youth Organization also oversees the Colts Summer Band, Colts World Percussion, and a defunct competitive winter guard.