style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 150%">COLORADO             BWD Automotive, a New York-based distributor and marketer of underhood parts, announced the winners of its 2006 Be an All-Star promotion for counter personnel and technicians. To qualify for the promotion, a person had to sell or install 10 BWD products. Jeff Verbil of T-K Distributors, a Parts Plus and Motorcraft distributor in Commerce City, won a 32-inch flat panel LCD HD TV. The Burt Automotive Group opened a new dealership, Burt Dodge Chrysler Jeep, in Parker in March. Ron Schmid was hired as the dealership's parts manager. Schmid said he has several decades of experience selling Chrysler parts in Colorado.                 The Ford Motor Co. named its Top 50 Volume & Growth Award winners for Power Stroke diesel engine and parts sales in 2006. Two dealerships in Colorado received the award. Earning recognition are Scott Frederick, parts manager for Phil Long Ford of Colorado Springs, and Justin Bennett, parts manager for Rush Medium Duty Truck Center in Denver.             Several automotive training courses took place throughout Colorado in April in both management and technical areas. David Rogers of Auto Profit Masters held two courses on April 28 in Grand Junction. The courses, approved by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI), were Superior Service Advising and People Power. Management Success conducted a seminar in Denver on April 14-15 on How to Increase Your Profits, which was aimed at repair shop owners. Some of the topics covered include time management and hiring practices.             Perkins Dodge of Colorado Springs held a Mopar Drivetrain Clinic on April 26. Kevin Sellingman, DaimlerChrysler technical service adviser, covered transmission warranty and installation tips, Perkins Dodge Parts Manager Dale Underwood said. The event was co-sponsored by Tracy Industries, a nationwide distributor of remanufactured transmissions, in partnership with DaimlerChrysler. After a four-year hiatus, Northeastern Junior College (NJC) in Sterling plans to reinstate its diesel training program this fall. The new curriculum will be designed to more closely meet industry needs. Justin Mertens will serve as the lead diesel technology instructor and coordinator. "We listened to the industry," said Stanton Gartin, vice president of academic services at NJC. "The dealers told us that they need diesel technicians who are highly skilled to work on trucks, heavy equipment, and diesel engines used in various other capacities."                 The National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA), dedicated to the truck and trailer industry, has approved 20 new members of its Member Verification Program (MVP). Harsh International Inc. of Eaton and O. J. Watson Co. Inc. of Denver earned MVP status, a process that began in May 2005 and involves implementing minimum business processes and compliance with government regulations.             The number of Coloradoans purchasing alternative fuel vehicles increased 17 percent in 2006, according to an R.L. Polk & Co. study. The category includes nearly 204,000 vehicles that include hybrid electric, E-85 capable vehicles, and clean diesels.             Golf season is upon us, and two automotive companies are planning their annual tournaments. Central Foreign Auto Parts of Denver is holding the second annual Larry Silver Memorial Golf Tournament June 13 at The Golf Courses at Hyland Hills in Westminster. The tournament aids the causes of the Larry Silver Childhood Cancer Campaign Fund and bone marrow transplant research, said Ben Silver, CEO of Central Foreign Auto Parts. The tournament is in memory of Ben Silver's father, Larry Silver, who founded the family business. For more information, visit www.lsilvertourn.com/index.cfm. FinshMaster Automotive & Industrial Paint is holding its annual golf tournament June 22 at The Meadows golf course in Littleton. For more information, e-mail johnsc@finishmaster.com.             Ferguson Pontiac Buick GMC in Colorado Springs recently hired Bruce Klug to serve as its parts manager. Klug said he has several years of parts experience in Colorado, most recently working for McDonald Automotive Group in Littleton.    NEW MEXICO             The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), an organization that facilitates the identification and correction of automaker service information for the aftermarket, has appointed Jerry Burns, owner of Automotive Impressions in Albuquerque, co-chair of its Collision Repair Committee. The Ford Motor Co. named its Top 50 Volume & Growth Award winners for Power Stroke diesel engine and parts sales in 2006. Two dealerships in New Mexico received the award. Earning recognition were Bob Turner's Ford Country in Albuquerque and Ziems Ford Corners in Farmington.       WYOMING Bailey Enterprises of Riverton is building a 14-bay, 28,000-square-foot tire and automotive center and 200,000-gallon bulk fuel-storage facility on South Federal Boulevard in Riverton. The fuel-storage facility will feature gasoline, E-85 ethanol, and diesel pumps. The projects are scheduled to be completed by the end of August.             Dale and Alana Thackereay purchased DNA Auto Parts in Lovell, a privately owned NAPA jobber store. The couple bought the business from Reg Henderson in February. The purchase marks the second parts store for the Thackereays, who also operate in Greybull.             John and Bobbi Haley, owners of J.R.'s Repair, have recently added a towing business for their customers in Greybull, renaming the business J.R.'s Towing and Repair.             The Ford Motor Co. named its Top 50 Volume & Growth Award winners for Power Stroke diesel engine and parts sales in 2006. Two dealerships in Wyoming received the award. Earning recognition were Greiner Ford Lincoln Mercury in Casper and Sweetwater Ford Inc. in Rock Springs.