Participants from left to right: Colorado Convention Center’s Blue Bear, Karen Middleton, Lee Payne, Don Hicks, Joe Rice, Beth McCann, Bill Maffeo, Randy Baurngardner, Michael McDonald, Larry Liston, John Soper, Jeff Carlson, Pete Tynan, Ott-Oh the Otter and Melissa Kuipers.

Participants from left to right: Colorado Convention Center’s Blue Bear, Karen Middleton, Lee Payne, Don Hicks, Joe Rice, Beth McCann, Bill Maffeo, Randy Baurngardner, Michael McDonald, Larry Liston, John Soper, Jeff Carlson, Pete Tynan, Ott-Oh the Otter and Melissa Kuipers.

At 5 o’clock sharp yesterday evening, the 2009 Denver Auto Show opened with the cutting of a large green ribbon. The green ribbon symbolized a focus and commitment to green initiatives and tied in with the Green Tie Charity Preview event that was held prior and continued after the ribbon cutting ceremony. As proof of the excitement new cars still hold for consumers, there was a line of an estimated 500 ticket holders that were waiting to get into the first day of the 2009 Denver Auto Show while the ribbon cutting was taking place.

As I just mentioned, the ribbon cutting was part of the Green Tie Charity Preview event. This charity event supported the Clear the Air Foundation, which was recently established in Denver, Colorado with a goal of removing vehicles that emitted high emissions and replacing them with new low emitting vehicles, like say a 2010 Toyota Prius. On their website, the foundation claims that 5% of the cars on the road create 75% of the air quality problems. In addition, when the Clear the Air Foundation is fully operational, they will enable income tax deductions for those who donate a high-emitting vehicle.

The Green Tie Charity Preview was hosted by the Colorado Dealer Association (CADA) and the Metro Denver Automobile Dealers Association (MDADA) and was a continuation of their other green initiatives like the Green Car Convoy and Parade.  Attending this event were many Colorado State legislatures and business owners in the automotive industry. Several of these guests took part in the "green" ribbon-cutting (pictured above) using large green scissors to complete the deed.  

At the Green Tie Charity Preview, Tim Jackson, CADA President, also announced the 2009 Denver Auto Shows new mascot, Ott-Oh, the Otter and recognized long time car industry writer, Bud Wells. Mr. Wells will have the CADA Headquarters Boardroom named after him on June 10th in recognition for his 30+ years in Colorado automotive journalism.

2010 Chevrolet Volt

2010 Chevrolet Volt

 

With the continuing introduction of hybrids, like the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, 2010 Toyota Prius, 2010 Honda Insight and electric vehicles like the Th!nk City, Tesla and soon to come Chevrolet Volt; It is my belief that we are going to see more and more of a movement for environmental consciousness in the auto industry. The real question is, will the incentives trickle far enough down to the portions of the economy that are driving the older cars because that is what they can afford to purchase.

 

Be sure to check out Ford Talks Sustainability as reported right here at Allsmallcars.com and if you are interested in more new hybrid, EV or other small car information, then check out our new and used car information, reviews and photos.

Don’t forget to check out the other sites in our network located at the lower right hand portion of the main Allsmallcar.com page.