The announcement of the closing of the Rocky and its final publication today, though predicted for months, was still a shock when we heard it - all of us had prayed for a miracle to save this gem of a newspaper.

Especially, I thought immediately about those hundreds of good people who are the Rocky Mountain News - their careers, their families their legacy. Those folks we walked with during the recent candlelight vigil, those who've kept their hopes up and kept the paper's quality at the highest level during this stressful time of crisis; all journalists of the highest caliber, who've kept their dignity in the face of uncertainty and corporate betrayal.

It was interesting to hear the E.W. Scripps statement honoring the Rocky and its journalistic achievements and blaming the closing on changing times in the industry and huge economic challenges. A spokesman said "Unfortunately, the partnership's business model is locked in the past," referring to the Joint Operating Agreement with the Denver Post.

Interesting, to say the least, because Scripps' response to this challenging business environment for its newspapers was to last year announce a split of the company into two entities - one the more profitable (at least then) broadcast division and the other comprised of mostly newspapers.

Yes, business decisions are often tough and often require hard-nosed economic realism in difficult times.

Yes, print journalism and the news industry are in the midst of a maelstrom of economic challenges brought about by the age of new media and a dozen other factors - but where is Scripps' innovation, the bold moves by the corporate movers and shakers to forge its own new business plan for one of the premiere papers in the country and its other papers?

Simply offer it for sale because it's losing money? Not exactly groundbreaking, outside-the-box corporate-think.

In past blogs, I've commented about how our thoughts here at YourHub.com were always with our co-workers and friends at the Rocky - through the holiday season and every week since the announcement that the paper being put up for sale.

I've been amazed at the public support voiced on the Rocky Web site, and the I Want My Rocky site - and just as amazed at some of the petty commentary linking the paper's troubles to being too left-wing, or right-wing, meaning it didn't agree with the commentators own particular take on the world - bluster at best.

With the Rocky's passing, the community of Denver and the state of Colorado will soon begin to realize what has been lost; how we as a community will be lessened - less informed, less aware, less linked, less cohesive and with less of a historical mirror reflecting back who we are.

We'll remember the always-strong reporting, thoughtful analysis, provocative columns, features that touched us, spectacular photography, groundbreaking design concepts, editorials with real impact and so much more that made up this Pulitzer-prize-winning publication.

Especially, we'll remember the men and women who've made the Rocky the community lifeblood of Denver and Colorado, and I'll always remember walking with them during the candlelight march from the Denver Press Club to our building, chanting "Save Our Rocky."

Always, I'll have that image of those hopeful faces, bathed in candlelight.