Friday, June 8 Updated: June 10, 4:42 PM ET Special edition newspapers used to start bonfire Associated Press DENVER -- Police in riot gear sprayed tear gas to disperse thousands of rowdy fans who set small bonfires and danced in the streets after the Colorado Avalanche won the Stanley Cup. Crowds spilled into the two-square-mile area from the Pepsi Center, where the Avalanche defeated the New Jersey Devils, and from Coors Field, where the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Colorado Rockies. They lighted bonfires and firecrackers, climbed street poles and hugged each other. "We're No. 1," fans chanted. Sixty-three people were arrested and 50 were taken to detoxification centers. Most face charges of vandalism and disturbing the peace. The crowd was estimated at about 5,000, compared with 10,000 who took to the streets in Denver's worst sports riot in 1998 when the Broncos won their first Super Bowl. Revelers had looted, damaged dozens of buildings and overturned cars. Riots also followed the Broncos' 1999 Super Bowl victory and the Avalanche's 1996 Stanley Cup win. "The public is kind of getting tired of the criminal activity associated with sports events or sports riots, so some people just didn't come downtown," Police Chief Gerry Whitman said Sunday. Nearly 700 police officers on foot and horseback were deployed Saturday night. There were reports of broken storefront windows, police spokeswoman Virginia Lopez said. Andrew Hudson, a spokesman for Mayor Wellington Webb, said he thought the crowd was celebratory, but not as violent as in years past. In Fort Collins, officers used tear gas to disperse a crowd of 600 to 700 people after one or two small fires were set, police spokeswoman Rita Davis said. One person was arrested and windows were broken in two buildings. Near Coors Field in Denver, fans blocked streets and jumped on vehicles trying to leave the area. A few fans carrying hockey sticks leaped back and forth across a bonfire in the middle of one street. Several blocks away at Larimer Square, one fan waved an Avalanche flag from a perch atop a street light pole. Motorists honked horns and a few bottles were tossed toward police. Police officers stood side by side in a line across the street and set off tear gas canisters after ordering people to leave the area. "Nothing was being destroyed. Everybody is out on a peaceful celebration and they started firing smoke," said Ryan Fornese, 23, of Denver. "I ran and I thought I was going to die as soon as I hit that cloud of smoke." Carey Jenkins and his girlfriend, Wendy Weidner, watched the game at home and came downtown to celebrate. "It's not quite the same jumping up and down at home," Weidner said. "We thought we'd get a beer and celebrate with the fans," Jenkins said. "I think the players on the Avalanche wanted to win it for (Ray) Bourque," Scott Davis said. "They just wanted to win it more." Tyler Boggs of Lakewood carried a gas mask. "I ain't getting tear gassed," he said. "It's like that Boy Scout motto, always be prepared." City officials scheduled a victory parade Monday to honor the Avalanche. During the game, fans crowded outside sports bars packed to capacity. "The vibes, man, this is where it all is," said Amy Fechenbach, who stood outside a sports bar. "I grew up watching Ray Bourque play hockey and it's high time that he finally won the cup," said Jim Devon, a computer analyst who lived in Boston when Bourque played for the Bruins. Police Sgt. Tony Lombard said they increased the number of officers on foot and horse patrol from 40 on a typical Saturday night to 700 in the event the Avalanche won. Officers asked officials with the two Denver papers to stop distributing the special editions to prevent further bonfires, Lombard said. Police used video cameras to record the actions of unruly celebrants that could be reviewed later for evidence of criminal activity. Army surplus stores reported brisk sales of gas masks as journalists, security guards and fans prepared for the possibility of raucous celebrations following Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals. By noon Friday, the Army and Navy Surplus Store had sold out of $7.99 gas masks. Two surplus stores near downtown Denver also were busy before the game. Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories

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