Overview

The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) is the voice of the automotive retail industry throughout the state. As the automobile dealer trade association, CADA advocates issues of importance to the auto industry in general, Colorado auto dealers in particular and  Colorado's driving public.

The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association was formed in 1933 by a small number of dealers to protest a federal excise tax that would raise the price of vehicles to their customers, and hurt the few sales they already had. Building on that success, the association was incorporated five years later.

Today, our 260 dealers range from small, family-owned dealerships to nationally owned multiple-franchise corporations. CADA represents a united front for each of these new car and truck dealers to local, state and federal public policy makers; the public and the media.

Colorado’s new car dealers are vibrant, dynamic and immersed in their communities. They provide jobs and careers to more than 43,000 people throughout the state, which represented $2.5 billion in total compensation to Colorado residents in 2019.

How CADA serves our members

Regulatory and compliance changes are routinely shared with our dealer members, making it easier for them to stay on top of local and state policy issues that can affect their businesses and their buyers.

Education keeps dealers and their key leaders current with industry best practices and the ever-changing compliance landscape. Topics range from title clerk training to advertising and compliance issues, updating dealers and general managers on the effects of new legislation and digital marketing.

Events cover the gamut from The Denver Auto Show (including the Innovative Dealer Summit, Preview Gala and Automotive Career Fair) to industry economic forecasts, NextGen meetings, the annual Golf Event, regional dealer meetings and a wide range of other events throughout the year. All CADA events are designed to keep dealers engaged with, and connected to, one another.

Our for-profit division CADA Insurance Services saves dealers money on the tools they use every day to operate their businesses, including Endorsed Providers' products and services, employee benefits (that have returned tens of thousands of dollars a year in premiums to individual members), bonds (including salesperson, dealer and title) and forms.

Committees & Groups

Members can become more deeply involved and make a difference on their businesses and industry through CADA Committees & Groups. Committees range from the Executive Committee, which comprises the five officers of the Board; to the Legislative Policy Committee; Member Services Committee; Denver Auto Show Committee and the NextGen Leadership Club.

Governing structure

CADA is governed by a Board of Directors. Each member of the Board is elected by his or her peers to represent them at all scheduled meetings. The Board is comprised of the following elected members:

• 5 Officers
• 12 District Directors
• Up to 6 At-large Directors
• NADA Director

The five officers of the 2021 Board — Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, and Immediate Past Chair — serve one-year terms. All District Directors serve three-year terms. The Chair appoints Association committees, which focus on issues for consideration or those that need more in-depth analysis.

CADA's Chief Executive Officer/President and Chief Operating Officer are responsible for daily operations and direct nine staff members at CADA headquarters in Denver.