Tim Jackson says the mission of the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame is to honor innovation, influence and contributions that Colorado dealers have made to the automotive industry and communities throughout Colorado.

“Through the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame, we honor the industry — past and present — and tell the stories of those who have played significant roles in Colorado since 1970,” said Jackson, who is chief executive officer/president of the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association, or CADA, in a news release.

Jackson is talking about CADA’s launch of its Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame, which will take place on April 1 during its annual Preview Gala that officially kicks off the Denver Auto Show.

Fifty dealers comprising the inaugural group will be inducted during a dinner and ceremony that evening. CADA will announce the inaugural group of inductees on March 2.

The TIME Dealer of the Year Award is the genesis of the Hall. That award takes place each year at the National Automotive Dealers Association trade show, and a Colorado TIME Dealer of the Year has been named every year since 1970.

For that event, all 50 states participate, and they annually nominate dealer executives with “exemplary dealerships” and who perform distinguished community service. The Colorado dealers who have been named each year comprise the inaugural group of inductees.

Anthony Brownlee, 2020 chairman of the Hall, describes being inducted into the Colorado Automotive Hall of Fame as “a true mark of excellence.”

“This first group of inductees represents household names from throughout Colorado who are an inspiration to us all,” Brownlee said.

CADA says Americans have been in love with the automobile for decades, noting that for more than 100 years, the single idea has been a central premise of transportation policy, pop culture and national history.

“It animates how we think about designing the world around us, our self-image and how we increasingly view our future,” the association said.

The association continued, “All of this makes for stories that are the most powerful tools in the world. The phenomenon of sports cars, weekend cars and collector cars is real. So, too is the allure of road trips, scenic highways or weekend drives through the country. Cars represent strength, adventure and sex appeal.”

“Access to cars comes through the all-important dealer, embedded in a community as a trustworthy provider of vehicles and service,” Jackson said.

He continued, “For decades, Colorado dealers have served their communities, knowing that cars affect the lives of their customers and families rely on dependable cars.”