By Matt Gleckman

‘Twas the day before Monday and all through the county, Broncos fans sat awaiting their bounty. "On, Griese and Gary," they would scream at their sets — but when they turned on the tube. . .the Cowboys and Jets?

Much to the disappointment of local Broncos fans, CBS network headquarters in New York, decided to air the Dallas Cowboys-New York Jets game Sunday afternoon rather than the Broncos-Seattle Seahawks game, despite protests from CBS’ local Durango affiliate, KREZ, and its parent station in Albuquerque.

According to Kermitt Barrett, general sales manager for KREZ, the decision to broadcast the Cowboys game rather than the Broncos came from management at CBS headquarters.

Because KREZ is a satellite extension of the Albuquerque channel the local station had no choice in the matter, Barrett explained.

"When we found out that we were assigned the Cowboys game, the general manager for the Albuquerque station and I both called CBS in New York and tried to get it switched to the Broncos game," said Barrett, "however, they had reason to believe that there would be more interest in the Cowboys, so they stuck with their original decision."

Barrett assured fans, however, that in the future they will try to air the majority of the Broncos’ games for as long as CBS has the NFL contract.

Wayne Johnson, manager of the local TV translator district, stated Monday that CBS out of Albuquerque also took a good deal of heat over the issue.

"I spoke with Vince McKenney in New Mexico and he said that he argued with New York for several hours over the matter. He also stated that he got over 700 angry phone calls after the airing of the game," Johnson said.

Leslie Ann Wade, a spokesperson for CBS sports in New York, explained that a number of factors go into deciding which game to air.

"We look at the history of an area and do research to find out which team has the most fans in a certain area. Also, we have to take into consideration the teams’ records and the post-season implications of each game.

"Unfortunately there is no right decision, but a decision had to be made. I’m sure that there were a number of people who were happy with the choice to broadcast the Cowboys, but in this business you very rarely get to hear when you have done it right."

For many Cortez viewers, however, this answer will not suffice.

In a letter to the editor, Cortez resident J.F. Newman said, "I know why the lack of Colorado programming exists, and understand that it could be alleviated at the discretion of KREZ management. That knowledge does not lesson my frustration.