Like a rock

Colorado auto dealers aren't too pleased with General Motors ... again.

While many are still smarting over the Detroit manufacturer's decision last year to drop some of its dealerships, now they're angry at GM for running political ads in newspapers and radio stations opposing a bill in the Legislature designed to give those dealerships the first right of refusal should the company decide to offer new franchises in the state.

The Colorado House approved that measure, House Bill 1049, on a 60-5 vote earlier this month. Now, it awaits debate in the Senate.

 “I don’t think taxpayers will appreciate that a company they supported with their tax dollars is now spending money to undermine the local dealerships upon which consumers depend,” said Colorado Automobile Dealers Association president Tim Jackson. “General Motors gets 90 percent of its revenue from its network of independent dealerships so this amounts to biting the hands that feed it.”

Jackson said GM is spending about $60,000 on the ad campaign.

GM terminated 25 Colorado dealerships last year, and Jackson said the company now is awarding new franchises to other dealships in the same areas.