C.R.S. Section 44-20-424
New, reopened, or relocated dealer

  • notice required
  • grounds for refusal of dealer license
  • definitions
  • rules

(1)

No powersports vehicle manufacturer or distributor shall establish an additional powersports vehicle dealer, reopen a previously existing powersports vehicle dealer, or authorize an existing powersports vehicle dealer without first providing at least sixty days’ notice to all of its franchised dealers within whose relevant market area the new, reopened, or relocated dealer would be located. The notice must state:

(a)

The specific location at which the additional, reopened, or relocated powersports vehicle dealer will be established;

(b)

The date on or after which the powersports vehicle manufacturer intends to be engaged in business with the additional, reopened, or relocated powersports vehicle dealer at the proposed location; and

(c)

The identity of all powersports vehicle dealers who are franchised to sell the same line-make of vehicles with licensed locations in the relevant market area where the additional, reopened, or relocated powersports vehicle dealer is proposed to be located.

(2)

A powersports vehicle manufacturer shall approve or disapprove of a powersports vehicle dealer facility initial site location, relocation, or reopening request within sixty days after the request or after sending the notice required by subsection (1) of this section to all of its franchised powersports vehicle dealers, whichever is later.

(3)

Subsection (1) of this section shall not apply to:

(a)

The relocation of an existing dealer within two miles of its current location; or

(b)

The establishment of a replacement dealer, within two years, either at the former location or within two miles of the former location.

(4)

As used in this section:

(a)

“Powersports manufacturer” means a powersports vehicle manufacturer, distributor, or manufacturer representative.

(b)

“Relevant market area” means the greater of the following:

(I)

The geographic area of responsibility defined in the franchise agreement of an existing dealer; or

(II)

The geographic area within a radius of ten miles of any existing dealer of the same line-make of powersports vehicle as the proposed additional motor vehicle dealer.

(5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

An existing powersports vehicle dealer adversely affected by the reopening or relocation of an existing same line-make powersports vehicle dealer or the addition of a same line-make powersports vehicle dealer may, within ninety days after receipt of the notice required in subsection (1) of this section, file a legal action in a district court of competent jurisdiction or file an administrative complaint with the executive director to prevent or enjoin the relocation, reopening, or addition of the proposed powersports vehicle dealer. An existing powersports vehicle dealer is adversely affected if:

(I)

The dealer is located within the relevant market area of the proposed relocated, reopened, or additional dealership described in the notice required in subsection (1) of this section; or

(II)

The existing dealer or dealers of the same line-make show that, during any twelve-month period within the thirty-six months preceding the receipt of the notice required in subsection (1) of this section, the dealer or dealers, or a dealer’s predecessor, made at least twenty-five percent of the dealer’s retail sales of new powersports vehicles to persons whose addresses are located within ten miles of the location of the proposed relocated, reopened, or additional dealership.

(b)

The executive director shall refer a complaint filed under this section to an administrative law judge in the office of administrative courts for final agency action.

(c)

In any court or administrative action, the manufacturer has the burden of proof on each of the following issues:

(I)

The change in population;

(II)

The relevant vehicle buyer profiles;

(III)

The relevant historical new powersports vehicle registrations for the line-make of vehicles versus the manufacturer’s actual competitors in the relevant market area;

(IV)

Whether the opening of the proposed reopened, relocated, or additional powersports vehicle dealer is materially beneficial to the public interest or the consumers in the relevant market area;

(V)

Whether the powersports vehicle dealers of the same line-make in the relevant market area are providing adequate representation and convenient customer care, including the adequacy of sales and service facilities, equipment, parts, and qualified service personnel, for powersports vehicles of the same line-make in the relevant market area;

(VI)

The reasonably expected market penetration of the line-make, given the factors affecting penetration; and

(VII)

Whether the reopened, relocated, or additional dealership is reasonable and justifiable based on expected economic and market conditions within the relevant market area.

(d)

In any court or administrative action, the powersports vehicle dealer has the burden of proof on each of the following issues:

(I)

Whether the manufacturer engaged in any action or omission that, directly or indirectly, denied the existing powersports vehicle dealer of the same line-make the opportunity for reasonable growth or market expansion;

(II)

Whether the manufacturer has coerced or attempted to coerce any existing powersports vehicle dealer into consenting to additional or relocated franchises of the same line-make in the community or territory or relevant market area; and

(III)

The size and permanency of the investment of, and the obligations incurred by, the existing powersports vehicle dealers of the same line-make located in the relevant market area.

(e)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(I)

In a legal or administrative action challenging the relocation, reopening, or addition of a powersports vehicle dealer, the district court or administrative law judge shall make a determination, based on the factors identified in subsections (5)(c) and (5)(d) of this section, of whether the relocation, reopening, or addition of a powersports vehicle dealer is:

(A)

In the public interest; and

(B)

Fair and equitable to the existing powersports vehicle dealers.

(II)

The district court or the executive director shall deny any proposed relocation, reopening, or addition of a powersports vehicle dealer unless the manufacturer shows by a preponderance of the evidence that the existing powersports vehicle dealer or dealers of the same line-make in the relevant market area of the proposed dealership are not providing adequate representation of the line-make powersports vehicles. A determination to deny, prevent, or enjoin the relocation, reopening, or addition of a powersports vehicle dealer is effective for at least eighteen months.

Source: Section 44-20-424 — New, reopened, or relocated dealer - notice required - grounds for refusal of dealer license - definitions - rules, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-44.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

44‑20‑101
Legislative declaration
44‑20‑102
Definitions
44‑20‑103
Motor vehicle dealer board - creation
44‑20‑104
Board - oath - meetings - powers and duties - rules
44‑20‑105
Auto industry division - creation - powers and duties of executive director and director
44‑20‑106
Records as evidence
44‑20‑107
Attorney general to advise and represent
44‑20‑108
Classes of licenses
44‑20‑109
Temporary motor vehicle dealer license
44‑20‑110
Display, form, custody, and use of licenses
44‑20‑111
Fees - disposition - expenses - expiration of licenses
44‑20‑112
Bond of licensee
44‑20‑113
Motor vehicle salesperson’s bond
44‑20‑114
Buyer agent bonds
44‑20‑115
Notice of claims honored against bond
44‑20‑116
Testing licensees
44‑20‑117
Filing of written warranties
44‑20‑118
Application - prelicensing education - fingerprint-based criminal history record check - rules
44‑20‑119
Notice of change of address or status
44‑20‑120
Principal place of business - requirements
44‑20‑121
Licenses - grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation
44‑20‑122
Procedure for denial, suspension, or revocation of license - judicial review
44‑20‑123
Sales activity following license denial, suspension, or revocation - unlawful act - penalty
44‑20‑124
Unlawful acts
44‑20‑125
New, reopened, or relocated dealer - notice required - grounds for refusal of dealer license - definitions - rules
44‑20‑126
Independent control of dealer - definitions
44‑20‑127
Successor under existing franchise agreement - duties of manufacturer
44‑20‑128
Penalty
44‑20‑129
Fines - disposition - unlicensed sales
44‑20‑130
Drafts not honored for payment - penalties
44‑20‑131
Right of action for loss
44‑20‑132
Contract disputes - venue - choice of law
44‑20‑133
Disposition of fees - auto dealers license fund - created
44‑20‑134
Advertisement - inclusion of dealer name
44‑20‑135
Audit reimbursement limitations - dealer claims
44‑20‑136
Reimbursement for right of first refusal
44‑20‑137
Payout exemption to execution
44‑20‑138
Site control extinguishes
44‑20‑139
Modification voidable
44‑20‑140
Termination appeal
44‑20‑141
Stop-sale directives - used motor vehicles - definitions
44‑20‑141.5
Fulfillment and compensation for warranty and recall obligations - definitions
44‑20‑141.6
Fulfillment of warranty and recall obligations - recreational vehicles - definitions
44‑20‑142
Repeal of part
44‑20‑201
Definitions
44‑20‑202
Exclusive finance agreements void - when
44‑20‑203
Threat prima facie evidence of violation
44‑20‑204
Threat by agent as evidence of violation
44‑20‑205
Offering consideration to eliminate competition
44‑20‑206
Accepting consideration to eliminate competition
44‑20‑207
Recipient of consideration shall not buy mortgages
44‑20‑208
Quo warranto action
44‑20‑209
Violation by foreign corporation - penalty
44‑20‑210
Penalty
44‑20‑211
Contract void
44‑20‑212
Provisions cumulative
44‑20‑213
Damages
44‑20‑214
Repeal of part
44‑20‑301
Definitions
44‑20‑302
Sunday closing
44‑20‑303
Penalties
44‑20‑304
Repeal of part
44‑20‑401
Legislative declaration
44‑20‑402
Definitions
44‑20‑403
Motor vehicle dealer board
44‑20‑404
Board - powers and duties - rules
44‑20‑405
Powers and duties of executive director and director
44‑20‑406
Records as evidence
44‑20‑407
Attorney general to advise and represent
44‑20‑408
Classes of licenses
44‑20‑409
Temporary powersports vehicle dealer license
44‑20‑410
Display, form, custody, and use of licenses
44‑20‑411
Fees - disposition - expenses - expiration of licenses
44‑20‑412
Bond of licensee
44‑20‑413
Powersports vehicle salesperson’s bond
44‑20‑414
Notice of claims honored against bond
44‑20‑415
Testing licensees
44‑20‑416
Filing of written warranties
44‑20‑417
Application - fingerprint-based criminal history record check - rules
44‑20‑418
Notice of change of address or status
44‑20‑419
Principal place of business - requirements - exceptions
44‑20‑420
Licenses - grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation
44‑20‑421
Procedure for denial, suspension, or revocation of license - judicial review
44‑20‑422
Sales activity following license denial, suspension, or revocation - unlawful act - penalty
44‑20‑423
Unlawful acts
44‑20‑424
New, reopened, or relocated dealer - notice required - grounds for refusal of dealer license - definitions - rules
44‑20‑425
Independent control of dealer - definitions
44‑20‑426
Successor under existing franchise agreement - duties of powersports vehicle manufacturer
44‑20‑427
Audit reimbursement limitations - dealer claims
44‑20‑428
Reimbursement for disapproving sale
44‑20‑429
Penalty
44‑20‑430
Fines - disposition - unlicensed sales
44‑20‑431
Drafts or checks not honored for payment - penalties
44‑20‑432
Right of action for loss
44‑20‑433
Contract disputes - venue - choice of law
44‑20‑434
Advertisement - inclusion of dealer name
44‑20‑435
Payout exemption to execution
44‑20‑436
Site control extinguishes
44‑20‑437
Modification voidable
44‑20‑438
Termination appeal
44‑20‑439
Stop-sale directives - used powersports vehicles - definitions
44‑20‑439.5
Fulfillment and compensation for warranty and recall obligations - definitions
44‑20‑440
Repeal of part
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 44-20-424’s source at colorado​.gov