And let's say that someone else looks up this info, because we all know that the OP is no fan of additional research. It's asking way too much to be responsible for your own itinerary, right?

If the ticketed itinerary does not meet the MCT standards, that still does not mean that compensation is due for time and trouble. CO should get dinged for not following the rules, as should any airline. However, that's why the DOT complaint (that's how you spell that word correctly, by the way) process is available to travelers. Having to settle a complaint (there it is again) is much more of a headache and a more noticeable lesson for others to learn from in comparison to cutting this person a voucher, which is in reality doing nothing more than rewarding the OP's lack of interest in their own situation.