From iPods to $200,000 homes, here’s what life was like the last time the Avs won the Stanley Cup


For those of you who are counting, it has been 21 years since the Colorado Avalanche last appeared in the Stanley Cup Finals. So, as the team prepares to take on the Tampa Bay Lightning starting Wednesday, it’s fair to say that a lot has changed in those two decades.

Here are 10 pop culture moments from the last time the Avs were in the finals (against the New Jersey Devils) that are guaranteed to make you feel old.

Members of the Ascent ice crew work on painting the CO Avalanche logo on the ice in the new Pepsi Center Arena on Sept. 24, 1999. The Av's will play their first game in the Pepsi Center on Oct. 3. The ice is formed or melted by 12 miles of pipe that circulate 6,500 gallons of ethylene glycol.
Photo by Craig Walker, The Denver PostMembers of the Ascent ice crew work on painting the Avalanche logo on the ice in the new Pepsi Center Arena on Sept. 24, 1999. The Avs played their first game in there on Oct. 3, 1999.

The Avs’ home rink, the Pepsi Center, was brand spanking new, having opened in 1999

The Avs themselves were also pretty new to town. The team moved from Quebec to the Mile High City in 1995. In 2021, the Pepsi Center was renamed Ball Arena, coincidentally 21 years after it was built.

RELATED: Jumping on the bandwagon? Here’s what you need to know about the Colorado Avalanche

A for sale sign stands outside a home on the market in Denver on Monday, Oct. 22, 2007.
A for sale sign stands outside a home on the market in Denver on Monday, Oct. 22, 2007.

The average home price in the Denver region was $233,160

That’s according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. By 2021, the average price had increased to $503,200. Within the region, which includes Denver, Aurora and Lakewood, the agency reported Denver County’s average price was the highest at $558,500.

In May 2022, the median home price in Denver was $684,550, according to the Denver Metro Association of Realtors. The median home price statewide was $600,000, reported the Colorado Association of Realtors.

Russell Crowe, right, portrays Maximus in the DreamWorks/Universal Pictures' hit movie, 'Gladiator.' The film is among those nominated for Best Picture in the 73rd Academy Awards, which will be presented Sunday, March 25, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Dreamworks)
Dreamworks, The Associated PressRussell Crowe, right, portrays Maximus in the DreamWorks/Universal Pictures’ hit movie, “Gladiator.”

“Gladiator” won the Oscar for “Best Picture”

Additional nominees included “Chocolat,” “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” “Erin Brockovich,” and “Traffic.”

** FILE ** The original iPod is displayed after its introduction by Apple Computer Inc. chief executive officer Steve Jobs during a news conference in Cupertino, Calif. in this Oct. 23, 2001 file photo. Since the iPod debuted in 2001, more than 119 million have been sold, helping to propel Apple's market capitalization from $6 billion to $155 billion. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson, file)
Julie Jacobson, file, The Associated PressThe original iPod was a game changer, with 10 hours of battery life and the capacity to take 1,000 songs on the go.

Apple reinvented the Walkman with the debut of the very first iPod

The original MP3 player, released on Oct. 23, 2001, boasted 10 hours of battery life and the ability to hold up to 1,000 songs. In May of this year, Apple announced it would discontinue the iPod, meaning the device lived and died between the Avs’ Stanley Cup runs.

The classic Nokia, formally known as Nokia 3310, was the most popular cell phone

Who remembers the mobile game Snake?

Show host Britney Spears, left, and ...
Mark J. Terrill, The Associated PressShow host Britney Spears, left, and Justin Timberlake, then of N’Sync, arrive at the 28th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles Monday, Jan. 8, 2001.

Then-couple Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake made a denim statement at the American Music Awards

The double-denim look was iconic and inspired a similar look by Riff Raff and Katy Perry more than a decade later.

Bromance, twerking and anti-vaxxer were added to the dictionary

These words are still relevant 21 years later.

Destiny’s Child was the Billboard Hot 100’s top artist of the year

The No. 1 Hot 100 single was “Hanging By a Moment” by Lifehouse.

Daniel Radcliffe, center, who plays Harry Potter in the film 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone' stands with cast members Rupert Grint who plays Ron, front left, Emma Watson who plays Hermione, front right, back row left to right, director Chris Columbus, Richard Harris who plays Dumbledore, Robbie Coltrane who plays Hagrid, and producer David Heyman at Knebworth House, Stevenage, England, Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2001. (AP Photo/Adam Butler)
Adam Butler, The Associated PressDaniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Rupert Grint (Ron), Emma Watson (Hermione), Richard Harris (Dumbledore), and Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid) became beloved actors and characters after the Harry Potter franchise debuted in 2001.

The Harry Potter movie franchise made its debut

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” came out in the fall of 2001, when stars Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint were ages 12, 11 and 13, respectively.

DENVER, CO - JUNE 5: Billie Eilish performs at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on June 5, 2019 in Morrison, Colorado. Billie Eilish brought her sold out When We All Fall Asleep World Tour to Red Rocks on Wednesday night. (Photo by Seth McConnell/Special to the Denver Post)
Seth McConnell, Special to the Denver PostBillie Eilish performs at Red Rocks Amphitheatre on June 5, 2019.

Billie Eilish was born

While it wasn’t news at the time, Eilish, now a mega pop star thanks to hits like “Ocean Eyes” and “Bad Guy,” was born Dec. 18, 2001.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, In The Know, to get entertainment news sent straight to your inbox.

Related Articles

Previous 20 People to Know in Health Care: Jeanne Iasella, chief solutions officer, TeleTracking Technologies Inc.
Next Dayton restaurant a national favorite by DoorDash