Main: Toast of the Town
Top Ten: Mile High Moments
Faces: Orange-and-blue memories
Concerts: What dreams are made of
Memories: Former Broncos share memorable moments Pat Bowlen: Though he tore down Mile High, fond memories remain
Numbers: Mile High through the years

Victory: Broncos 38, 49ers 9
Finale: One last salute
New digs: Owens, Bowlen join ceremony to 'top out' new Broncos stadium
Stories: Broncos past and present share memories
Chronology: Mile High's last day
Souvenirs: Fans make a play for seats
Good seats: Workers, kin watch game on big TV in new stadium
Voices: Qutoes from Mile High's last day
Passion: Family still has first season-ticket seats
Tales: 76,000 tickets — 76,000 stories
Farewell cry: Tough South Stands fans say goodbye with tears

Video & audio: Broncos, fans remember Mile High
Destruction: Video montage of the stadium's demolition
Interactive timelines:
Game day | Through the years
Slideshow: Orange-and-blue memories

Proud reign: A day at Mile High
Q&A: What'll happen to Mile High landmarks
Gene Amole: When Bill Redd, Bears Stadium ruled Denver's sporting world
Dave Krieger: Frigid night of football frozen in time, mind
Bernie Lincicome: The burning question: How to say goodbye
The stars: Rating the best Broncos team ever

Forums: Reminisce with other Broncos fans
Vote: What Mile High moment is your favorite?
Thinking back: Readers remember Mile High Stadium

By Nancy Mitchell
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer

On the rocky ground soon to be trod by Denver Broncos, 13-year-old Erin Noel went out for a long toss from his dad, Lon.

"It's cool to be here where Brian Griese will be playing," Erin said, grinning.

Saturday, construction workers and their families became the first to watch a football game in the new stadium.

More than 4,200 filled a section of the nearly completed stands to watch the Broncos-49ers game on a big-screen TV set up on the field.

Dozens of kids and a few parents ventured onto the unfinished field, still dirt and rocks, to throw footballs.

Ray Weinmann, a forklift operator, watched son Luke, 4, run with a ball in imitation of idol John Elway.

Both are big Broncos fans, Weinmann said, but they're not too worried about the move from Mile High to the new stadium.

"It's time for a change," Weinmann said. "You've got to give up something old for something new."

Nearby, Terrina Griggs and Ginger Albers mused about the rapid rise of the $400 million stadium. Albers' husband, Alex, is a carpentry foreman.

"I'm ready for the new stadium, but I'm not ready for them to change the name," Griggs said. "It's got to stay Mile High."

In the stands, ironworker Tim McGee watched the game with his ex-wife, Connie. Looking up, he pointed out the metal decking he helped install.

"It's nice to be the first ones watching here," McGee said, then indicated Mile High next door. "It's neater to be here than over there."

December 24, 2000