When I, back in the 1970s, helped set up the automotive news page and began reviewing new cars for The Denver Post, there were two sources for access to the latest models – new car dealerships and manufacturers’ regional and zone offices in Denver.
I borrowed from dozens of dealers, such as Chuck Colvin, Bob Hagestad, Florian Barth, Chuck Stevinson, Ed Tynan, Dick Deane, Roger Mauro, Bill Stewart, Johnny Haas, etc. New Sevilles and de Villes were provided by George McDonald at the Cadillac office in town.
This business of “begging and borrowing” changed by the late 1980s, when the automotive manufacturers contracted with agents in U.S. cities to distribute their new products to auto reviewers.
Among the first distribution agents in Denver were Miriam Thompson of Thompson Communications and Bill Kostka Jr. of William Kostka & Associates.
A new firm to the automotive media and consumer fleet business in this area is Rocky Mountain Redline, based in Longmont. Melissa Smith, a longtime employee of companies handling automotive fleet business in Denver, and her husband, William, are owners and operators of Rocky Mountain Redline.
“Chrysler Group’s press fleet provider for the Rocky Mountain region is now Rocky Mountain Redline,” it was announced last week by Wendy Orthman, Chrysler Midwest PR manager. Subaru had signed on with Redline earlier in the summer.
Other Denver-area press fleet businesses are Automotive Media Solutions, operated by Paul Shippey, and STI Denver, managed by Tom Cooney. Shippey purchased Thompson Communications several years ago.
Bud Wells can be reached via e-mail at bwells@denverpost.com.
