Operators of Colorado BP service stations left a meeting Wednesday with few answers to their questions about BP’s plan to exit the Colorado market.
“We’re confused,” said Ben Maleki, operator of two metro Denver BP stations. “They haven’t told us anything. We’re still in limbo.”
London-based BP, formerly British Petroleum, confirmed Wednesday that it plans to put about 100 Colorado filling stations and convenience stores on the market.
The oil giant wants to concentrate on larger markets closer to its refineries, officials said.
Some of the Colorado stations might be purchased by large petroleum firms such as Conoco, Diamond Shamrock or Suncor Energy, and some might reopen under smaller brands, industry observers said. Others might close permanently.
Dealers said they received little information at the meeting on whether BP plans to sell the stations in one package, or piecemeal to a number of buyers.
“Everybody’s anxious, everybody’s nervous,” said Dragomir Cioroslan, operator of three BP stations in Colorado Springs.
BP officials held the meeting in Lone Tree to inform dealers of the proposed retail sell-off. Federal law requires petroleum companies to give a 180-day notice before selling retail assets or canceling franchise agreements.
The stations should attract plenty of buyer interest, said BP spokesman Scott Dean.
“These are very good businesses on very advantaged real estate,” he said.
Staff writer Steve Raabe can be reached at 303-820-1948 or sraabe@denverpost.com.
