Isn't it about time? I'm really over the drab colours (no offence, but how long has it been?).
I offer to help if I can be of any assistance.

The forum isn't run with WordPress, it is powered by vBulletin. Look at the bottom left of any page, there is a dropdown with some styling choices.

I realise that, but can't we custom "skin" it? There are other skins available (free even), or we could customise (hack) the current skin...? Just a bit of a change at least, swap a few colours, font style...? No?

vBulletin only allows the admin to setup up some 'skins' and then users can select them thru the drop down.
I'll drop a note to Fylnn

I have often wondered why one of the wordpress forum plugins wasn't used?

this forum is not using WordPress...look at the very bottom of the screen.