‘Rockie’ economy a boon for Denver’s LoDo
By Andy Piper 
| August 24, 2009 | 9:01 AM
On Friday, May 29, the day the Colorado Rockies fired manager Clint Hurdle, they also began a three-game series at Coors Field against division rival San Diego. Their record was 18-28, and they were in last place, 14 1/2 games behind the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Coors Field attendance that weekend was 23,239 Friday, 32,064 on Saturday, and 30,223 on Sunday, for a total of 85,526.
Fast-forward 12 weeks.
On Friday, the Rockies began a four-game series against the San Francisco Giants. Their record was 68-53, they were 3 1/2 games behind L.A. and two games ahead of the Giants in the National League wild-card standings.
The Coors Field attendance this weekend was 43,666 Friday, 47,178 Saturday and 48,704 Sunday, for a total of 139,548 in the first three games of the four-game series.
That means 54,032 more hungry, thirsty fans — more than a full capacity Coors Field — trekking through downtown Denver, an increase of 58 percent over the three days in May.
Lodo businesses are noticing.
“Definitely, since the Rockies have won, they are just bringing in a ton of business downtown. As soon as Hurdle got fired is basically when everybody got excited about the Rockies again,” says Jennie Slaton, manager of the Blake Street Tavern.
Carmen Bravo is juggling two DayGlo signs, a basket of chips and peanuts, and a wad of cash as she does business on the corner of Blake and 22nd streets.
“I see it. More people come, more people buy when the Rockies win,” Bravo said.
And it’s not just the ballpark neighborhood. Matt Raia, a bartender at Dixon’s Downtown Grill on the 16th Street Mall, has seen the difference, too.
“When the Rockies are winning and playing well, and crowds are filling up the ballpark, there’s a noticeable change in people’s perspectives. It’s great to have them down here.”
After Sunday’s 4-2 win over the Giants and their ace Tim Lincecum, the Rockies stood at 70-54, still 3 1/2 games behind the Dodgers and three games ahead of the Giants. The Rockies and Giants finish their four-game series Monday night and then the Rockies welcome the Dodgers for three games starting Tuesday.
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