COLORADO
AutoNation, which markets its Colorado dealerships under the GO name, acquired Littleton Nissan from Automotive Management Services of West Palm Beach, Fla., in December, said Chuck Wenzler, AutoNation director of fixed operations for Denver. The move marks the third Nissan dealership for the group, which now owns and operates 17 dealerships representing 16 nameplates in metro Denver, Wenzler said.
Tom Vettrano, a technician at Land Rover Denver East in Aurora, earned bragging rights as Land Rover's top technician in 2007, standing out from a field of 1,400 technicians in the United States and Canada. Vettrano recently received the Marque of Distinction Award while he was on a cruise in the South Caribbean with the top 14 finalists, who emerged from a field of 36 technicians that passed a hands-on test at Land Rover's U.S. offices in New Jersey. The contestants had to first pass a written test, achieve high CSI scores, and a high first-time fix rate, then receive approval from their Land Rover market manager, Vettrano said.
Warren Tech, a career and technical high school for Jefferson County Public Schools, has opened a CARQUEST parts jobber store this fall, part of its Auto Parts Specialist tract in the Automotive Technology program, Instructor Kelly Hebert said.
The Vista AutoGroup opened Vista Jeep, Chrysler, Dodge and Vista Subaru in Silverthorne in November. The dealership is at 171 W. Ninth St. in Silverthorne, just 
north of the Target Store on State Highway 9. "We are extremely proud to announce the addition of Vista Silverthorne to Summit County and the surrounding areas," said Rod Buscher, president of Vista AutoGroup. "The dealership is locally owned and operated and committed to unparalleled service for our neighbors in the high country."
The Rocky Mountain B-3 Automotive Booster Club has named Dennis Smit, general manager of Star Automotive Warehouse, the 2007 Diamond Award Winner. The award was presented during a luncheon at the Elks Lodge in Denver on Dec. 14. Smit was 
recognized for his efforts and contributions to the club and its annual flea market.
McGee Co., a distributor of undercar tools, equipment, and supplies in Denver, Albuquerque, Salt Lake City, and Dallas, held an AutoSock demonstration on Dec. 6 at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) facility next to the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70. AutoSock, a traction device for passenger and commercial vehicles, is an alternative to using ladder-style chains on snow and ice, said McGee Co. Owner Chuck McGee.
Gary Watts, longtime foreman of the machine shop at Bruce Hall's Yuma County Auto Parts, has retired after 28 years. After spending the better portion of three decades at the machine shop, Watts said he decided in the fall to retire and move to Greeley with his wife, Kathy.
The Westminster, Calif.-based Piercey Automotive Group has been selected to open a Honda dealership in northern Colorado Springs. The group plans to construct a 50,000- to 60,000-square-foot dealership and employ about 100 people. The dealership will create more competition for the Front Range Honda dealership on South Academy Boulevard. The opening date was not announced.
Ken Frederick, a 39-year veteran in the transmission business, opened Ken's Transmission Service in Buena Vista this fall. Frederick closed his 3-year-old Denver shop to move to Buena Vista with his wife, Jane. The shop, which rebuilds all types of transmissions, is at 506B Antero Circle.
The venerable 1/4-mile track in Morrison, Bandimere Speedway, is undergoing several upgrades as the crew prepares for the 2008 season. The project includes a new concrete surface. More than 4,100 feet of under-track drainage and 30,000 feet of rebar have been laid, and 900 yards of concrete has been poured. This surface has a longer life-expectancy than asphalt and has quicker drying times in 
the event of rain, Bandimere officials said. Additionally, concrete tracks allow for a wider variety of chemicals to be used in track preparation, oil-down, and clean-up. Once complete, it will be one of two all-concrete tracks hosting an NHRA Powerade event, the other being the Dallas Motorplex.
WYOMING
Mike Moyer of WyoTech in Laramie won a Rich Evans custom-painted QRS Chicago Pneumatic compressor during the recent SEMA show in Las Vegas. Moyer's name was randomly picked from more than 800 show entries.
Red Hutchings and Cory Griffitts recently opened Red's Speedy Lube in Glenrock. The Birch Street business does light auto maintenance and repair in addition to tire work. The pair said they plan to add alignments to their service menu in 2008.
Terry Rodgers, a technician at E&L Motors in Kemmerer, earned I-CAR's Platinum Individual Certification for aluminum welding. To earn the Platinum Individual designation, Rodgers had to achieve 10 points. Points are earned by successfully completing tested training from I-CAR and Industry Training Alliance members.
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