SUNSET: Denver crowds cheer Rockies despite World Series loss

DENVER (AP) — Even after being swept out of the World Series, it was a happy Halloween for the Colorado Rockies.

A crowd estimated by police at about 5,000 braved chilly temperatures and gray skies Wednesday to thank the Rockies for a nearly magical season, even though it ended abruptly with a four-game sweep at the hands of the Boston Red Sox.

Many of the fans left work or skipped lunch to head downtown, a few blocks from Coors Field, to celebrate with Rockies players, owners and management.

They showed up in full Rockies regalia, donning black and purple shirts, jackets, even Halloween costumes, waving white Rockies rally towels beneath white and purple balloons floating above the

stage.

Left-fielder Matt Holliday, a potential MVP, had trouble making himself heard over the screaming chants of “MVP! MVP!”

“I wasn’t around when we had sellouts every night,” Holliday said, referring to the franchise’s early years. “But now that you’re here, I know what to expect next season.”

Holliday, Jeff Francis, Garrett Atkins, Jason Hirsch and manager Clint Hurdle were among the Rockies present. Owners Charlie and Dick Monfort and general manager Dan O’Dowd were also on hand.

Rockies fans were not disappointed.

“This is absolutely great,” said fan Michael Hughes. “You couldn’t ask for a classier bunch of guys.”

Hughes, 33, came with his son, Dylan, 6, after asking for a longer lunch break at work.

“I just want them to know we’re behind them,” Hughes said.

Gov. Bill Ritter and Mayor John Hickenlooper sang the team’s praises as well, noting the Rockies run meant more than winning some baseball games.

COMING IN TOMORROW'S GAZETTE

Transit service won’t be cut next year, based on comments from a majority of Colorado Springs City Council members during a budget mark-up session this morning. Due to a budget shortfall, acting City Manager Mike Anderson had proposed slashing 14,000 hours of service, but council members indicated they’re not willing to sacrifice fixed-route service.

A 2-year-old boy remains on life support at a Colorado Springs hospital while Cañon City police investigate the possibility that child abuse caused his severe head injuries. Police say they found the boy injured Oct. 17 at a home in the 700 block of Piedra Street.

People who need help with heating bills can begin applying for financial assistance today, but the pot of money is dramatically lower than last year because of federal and state cutbacks. Money available from the state Low-income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP) plunged from $59 million given out last year to $32 million available this year.

A combination of ethnic diversity, entertainment offerings and community support makes Chicago an attractive destination for the USOC, said fans at the Bears-Lions game Sunday at Soldier Field. The Colorado Springs-based USOC has solicited relocation proposals from several cities, and a Chicago business publication reported that a USOC real estate consultant toured several downtown office towers last month in the Windy City.

Spectranetics Corp. earned its second consecutive quarterly profit on record sales, beating analyst estimates and sending its stock today to a 15-year high.

Two years after American Honda Motor Co., Inc., started accepting applications from dealers around the nation for a second Honda franchise in Colorado Springs, a California-based automotive group this month was awarded what many in the industry consider a coup. Piercey Automotive Group will build a large Honda dealership in northern Colorado Springs.

An overhaul of Colorado Springs Utilities’ employee bonus program raises the bar for eligibility, requires better documentation and calls for an annual review. The revision, adopted this month, followed The Gazette’s Aug. 12 report that Springs Utilities paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to upper management and at times handed out cash without documentation or regular oversight.

A cadre of Manitou moms meet regularly to assemble care packages for, tell stories about the college students they love. Read about them in Thursday Life.

EVENTS TONIGHT

“MALLOWEEN”: With store-to-Store trick-or-treating, 5-7 p.m., The Citadel, 750 Citadel Drive East, free.

“BOO-RITO”: Dress up as your favorite burrito, or other item from Chipotle’s menu, and visit any local Chipotle Mexican Grill from 5 to 10 p.m. and a receive free item from the menu.

THE GLASS HOUSE HAUNTED HOUSE: Multicultural haunted house, 5 p.m., The Glass House (Lennox), 1001 N. Nevada Ave., free.

“NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM”: With ghoulish characters from the past will be lurking around the Depot with goodies available for trick-or-treaters, 5-9 p.m., Cripple Creek District Museum, 5th and Bennett avenues, Cripple Creek, $3 admission.

“TRUNK-OR-TREAT”: children can go car to car collecting goodies. Refreshments will be available, 5:30-7 p.m., Rock of Ages Lutheran Church, 120 N. 31st St., free.

“NIGHT OF LIGHT”: With children’s carnival games and candy, 6-8 p.m., Chapel Hills Baptist Church, 2025 Parliament Drive. No gory or scary costumes. Admission is a bag of candy per child.

HALLOWEEN CONCERT: Presented by Pikes Peak Community College Music Department, 8 p.m., Pikes Peak Community College, Downtown Studio Campus, 100 W. Pikes Peak Ave., free.

SPORTS TONIGHT

The Denver Nuggets open the season at home vs. Seattle at 8:30 p.m. on Altitude and ESPN (1300 AM). In another NBA game,