$base-color: #036;

@for $i from 1 through 3 {
  ul:nth-child(3n + #{$i}) {
    background-color: lighten($base-color, $i * 5%);
  }
}

 

ul:nth-child(3n + 1) {
  background-color: #004080;
}

ul:nth-child(3n + 2) {
  background-color: #004d99;
}

ul:nth-child(3n + 3) {
  background-color: #0059b3;
}