Visitors to Ft. Collins Colorado don't have any problem finding the massive WWV shortwave antenna array that broadcasts the time from the government's famous atomic clock. In town, locating a hybrid on a car dealer’s lot ain't so easy. The Coloradoan reports that local hybrid sales are high. Mark Pedersen of Pedersen Toyota pronounced them "extremely steady." Over at Markley Motors Honda store, used car manager Jaime Twito says Honda's hybrids are usually sold before they arrive. "We take everything they give us… they're hard to keep on the ground." Things are a little tougher for Brad Laugel, inventory manager at Dellenbach Motors. While the Chevy dealer has no hybrids to sell, he’s expecting a few ‘08 gas – electric Malibus later this year. Changing the subject ever-so-slightly, Laugel says Ft. Collins is “a good market” for vehicles like the Silverado and Tahoe, which can run on E85. Fortunately, unlike most U.S. towns, Ft. Collins actually has a station selling the brew: Western Convenience Store on 1113 West Drake Road. Be sure and say hello for us– but don't ask if they have the exact time.
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Down the road here in Denver, two local GM dealers have trucks with yellow and green graphics running down the side of the vehicle proclaiming in 15 inch letters that the engine runs on E85. I’m real tempted to ask the sales manager who they think will buy such audaciously decorated autos. There also isn’t a filling station anywhere nearby (except maybe in Ft Collins) that sells E85.
Actually at Broadway & Alameda in Denver is a gas station selling E85.
How much does E85 cost? (subsidized cost – At the pump).
N85523: I have seen at least half a dozen gas stations in the Denver metro area selling E85. There is one in Aurora near Iliff and Chambers, another in Lakewood near Alameda and Simms, and the aforementioned one near Alameda and Broadway. That covers West, East and Central.
Price: Last time I saw the one on Iliff and Chambers was at about $2.19 vs. $2.85 or so for regular unleaded.
As for whether the price is subsidized at the pump or not – what difference does that make to the driver? And at the risk of taking this discussion completely off topic, do you really think the price of dinosaur juice isn’t subsidized?
Glenn: By way of disclosure you might want to mention that Fort Collins is home to one of Colorado’s larger universities, Colorado State. College towns in general are much more hybrid-friendly than non-college towns. Laramie, Wyoming also has a lot of hybrids, and is home to the University of Wyoming. Rawlins, just 100 miles down the road (which is right next door in Wyoming terms) is home to the state prison, and hybrid vehicles are as scarce as honest lawyers.
Glenn: By way of disclosure you might want to mention that Fort Collins is home to one of Colorado’s larger universities, Colorado State.
Duly noted. :-)
I’ve been to Denver, drove up to the Continental Divide and on to Breckenridge. Beautiful area.