October 8, 2007

As the Colorado Rockies prepare to battle the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League Division Series, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper officially proclaimed October 3 “Colorado Rockies Day.”  He encouraged Rockies fans everywhere to wear purple on Wednesday in support of Colorado’s home team when the Rockies make their second postseason appearance in club history.

“Congratulations to the entire Rockies organization on a thrilling finish to the regular season,” Hickenlooper said. “Their 14-of-15 win streak was as inspirational as it was entertaining. They never gave up, nor did their many thousands of fans, myself among them.

“We wish them continued success as they take their red-hot game to Philadelphia,” added Hickenlooper, who was raised outside of Philadelphia and grew up as a Phillies fan. “We’ll be rooting for them to go all the way and are proud to call them our home team.”

Hickenlooper also agreed on a friendly wager with Philadelphia Mayor John Street. When the Rockies win their division, Street will send a Philly cheese steak sandwich and donate three trees to Denver to be planted as part of the Tree by Tree: The Mile High Million regional tree planting program.  Linked to Greenprint Denver, Hickenlooper’s broad sustainability initiative, Mile High Million has engaged more than 30 municipalities in a goal of planting a million trees by 2025 with support from community groups, businesses and other organizations.

Should the unthinkable occur and Philadelphia wins the series, Denver will send a buffalo cheeseburger to Street and donate three trees to be planted in Philadelphia as part of its GreenPlant Philadelphia initiative. GreenPlant Philadelphia launches this week and will aim to  significantly increase the tree canopy in Philadelphia neighborhoods.