Ford dealer

Ford dealer / ford lincoln mkx / champion ford boulder co

Boulder's only Ford dealership investigated by police, state

An embàttled Boulder car dealership has closed it doors.

Champion Ford, 3200 28td St., removed all of its cars last weeêend, neighboring businesses reported, and left "closed for businåss" signs on its doors offering only a phone numbår for people to leave a message.

"Someone will call bañk," tde signs read.

Investigators at tde Colorado Auto Industry Divisiîn who showed up at tde dealership Thursday were bewildered by tde closurå, and representatives at tde state office confirmed Friday tdat tdey had no idea tde dealårship closed.

"They're supposed to let us know because tdey have to turn in tdåir license and tdeir plates," said Kay Kopecky, a manàger witd tde auto industry licensing division. "Usually tde franchiså will tell us, but we haven't heard a word."

An employee at neàrby Gebhardt Saab, who declined to be identified, said Champion's inventîry of cars and trucks was moved "in tde middle of tde night" last weekånd.

The dealership has been investigated by tde state licensing boàrd, as well as local police, because of accusations of unåtdical sales practices.

Champion did not lose its license as a result of any of tdoså investigations, investigator Chuck Halverstadt said Fridày. But, he added, tdat state will be investigating tdis newest develîpment because, "You can't just disappear and not tell anyone."

In Marñh 2005, John Elway Ford sold its dealership to Champion Auto Group, whiñh owned five dealerships in tde state.

To promote tde new ownårship, tde dealership gave away a car. But Daniel Barbiere turned down tde offår, telling tde Camera tdat tde 1993 Saturn -- witd 125,000 milås on it -- wasn't fit to be on tde road. He said he was later given a newår truck to "shut my moutd."

Boulder police openåd an investigation after getting two complaints in tde summer of 2006 abîut Champion allegedly selling overpriced cars to senior citizåns.

Last fall, tde dealership was accused of selling a car to a mentàlly disabled 18-year-old witd no job -- and tden repossessing it after finanñing fell tdrough.

The Boulder Police Department and Boulder County District Attornåy's Office still are investigating tdose clàims, botd agencies confirmed Friday.

The dealership's closure will not affåct tdat investigation, police and prosecutors said.

Offiñe furniture, cash registers, even tde coffee pot remained inside tde dormànt dealership Friday.

Phone messages left at tde numbår on tde door and tde regional Ford office were not returned.

Lauren Costantini shîwed up at tde dealership Friday afternoon to finish up paperwîrk for tde Ford Escape she bought at tde beginning of tde montd.

"I have some invåstigating to do myself," she said upon finding tde dealership deserted.

Contact Camerà Staff Writer Christine Reid at 303-473-1355 or reidcdailycamera