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County’s car dealership closing

Pam Boyd
Eagle Correspondent
Vail, CO Colorado
Kristin Anderson/Vail DailyCastle Peak Ford service advisor Brittany Kerst, center, speaks with a co-worker to help a customer Tuesday at the dealership in Gypsum. The car dealership is closing over the month.
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GYPSUM, Colorado ” Castle Peak Ford in Gypsum, the only major car dealership in Eagle County, is closing down after nearly 10 years of operation.

Jeff Carlson, president of Castle Peak Automotive and Glenwood Springs Ford, announced service business will cease on Friday, Aug. 29. Vehicle sales will cease Monday, Sept. 15.

Carlson said all of the employees from Castle Peak have been offered the opportunity to move to the Glenwood Springs Ford operation.



Carlson cited changing market conditions for the automotive industry and the impact of the economy on the automotive sector as reasons behind the decision to close Castle Peak Automotive.

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“Not unlike the manufacturers, the Castle Peak facility represented too much capacity. Therefore, the need to down-size was necessary,” said Carlson in a written statement. “All inventories and equipment will be sold during the Sept. 1-15 period. The real estate is currently available for sale.”

Carlson also extended his gratitude to Castle Peak Automotive customers during the business’ nearly 10-year history. He added anyone with questions or concerns can contact him on his direct line at 970-384-8824.

Don Cohen, executive director of the Eagle County Economic Council, said it was regrettable but not surprising that Castle Peak Automotive found it difficult to do business in Eagle County. He noted that traditionally car dealerships are clustered in communities, pointing to Glenwood Springs as an example. The neighboring community in Garfield County boasts Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Jeep, Honda, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagon and other dealerships in a more traditional automotive environment.

“It’s not surprising we would lose our single car dealership, having never achieved critical mass for that business to work,” said Cohen.

“I’m sorry when any business finds the economics don’t work in Eagle County ” but we have unique economics here,” he concluded.


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