DENVER — Father and son duo Ross and Sean Burton have acquired the assets of nine Big O Tires in Colorado for their Jiffy Lube franchise.

The sellers are Rob Curry and Mathew Greco, who had operated the Big O stores since 2015. They said they plan to focus on growing their enterprises in California.

Although the Burtons are new to the Big O business they have a combined fifty-five years experience in the auto industry.

"We are excited about the opportunity and eager to represent the Big O team, building off the wonderful work they have done in the community," said Sean Burton.

DENVER — If a question on the state ballot passes this month it will mean convenience stores must charge a much higher tax on tobacco products and possibly reduce sales, but one tobacco firm has maneuvered its way into a loophole.

Altria secured a classification for some of its products as modified risk, meaning the tax actually will go down from what it is currently. That tobacco company will be promoting it hard because it sees those products as the future of the business.

Sensing Proposition EE with its promise to significantly raise taxes on cigarettes and other tobacco and nicotine products would have wide support, Altria, the maker of Marlboro, managed to help negotiate the wording of the bill to its advantage.

Tobacco products in Colorado are currently taxed at forty percent of manufacturer list price. Under Proposition EE, the tax on all but modified risk products would go to fifty percent. But the tax on MRP would go down to thirty-five percent for six years and then only rise to forty-one percent. Altria also got a concession that a pack of its product would sell for a minimum of seven dollars, pretty much cornering the market.

The product is a cross between a traditional cigarette and a vaping device. It works by heating tobacco sticks to the point where nicotine vapor is released but the tobacco doesn't burn.

COLORADO SPRINGS — People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) promised to shut down a local ExxonMobil gas station last month for what it claimed was its support of cruelty to dogs used in the Iditarod dog race.

They announced they would march at noon on the north central gas station, armed with yellow caution tape and blood-filled gas jugs to demonstrate opposition to the gasoline producer's sponsorship of the race.

But by 2 p.m. a station attendant said he didn't see any sign of the demonstration and business was continuing as usual.

PETA stated in a press release that more than 150 dogs have died pulling heavy sleds across a thousand miles in the race and from maltreatment by the mushers between the races. PETA said ExxonMobil should follow the lead of other companies that have severed ties to the Iditarod.

DENVER — Choice Markets, which opened its third store in Colorado last summer, is eyeing expansion across the nation.

Choice announced last month it has secured financing to launch fully automated stores inside shipping containers that can be placed anywhere. Owner Mike Fogarty anticipates opening its first out-of-state location soon. A fourth Colorado store is scheduled to open by the end of the year.

One of the new features of the high tech operation allows customers to pick a recipe, hit a button, and add what is needed to the cart to make the recipe, then have it delivered the same day by a fleet of electric vehicles and e-bikes.

Originally published in the November 2020 issue of the O&A Marketing News.
Copyright 2020 by KAL Publications Inc.