PDAC has been in continuous operation for 40 years, prior to 1998, as the Colorado Motorcycle Dealers Association. A small group of forward thinking Colorado dealers realized that a motorcycle trade association would be a necessity in the years to come as local, state and the federal governments passed more laws of increasing complexity. Having a media spokesperson and a forum to discuss challenges facing the industry were further considerations.
This position has shown itself to be true as decades of laws and regulations have repeatedly posed serious threats to the profitability of the market in Colorado. Almost without exception, PDAC has successfully turned back these ill-conceived attacks on the industry.
Additionally, PDAC serves as the spokesperson on your behalf with the media. When they come calling, and they always do, your association undertakes the responsibility of lacing your position before the public, politicians and bureaucrats with facts, not rumor or hysteria. This public information function is critical to the image of your business and the health of the industry statewide. Of equal importance is providing a network and a forum (your board meetings) to discuss timely issues and prepare strategies to cope with them.
In 2005 alone, PDAC's Executive Director and lobbyist reviewed over 600 bills and tracked 28 bills on a daily basis in the Colorado General Assembly. Those 28 pieces of legislation, some as long as 240 pages, were either direct threats; such as repeal of Sunday closing laws or titling dirt bikes, ATVs and snowmobiles, or bills dealing with motor vehicles, MV insurance and dealer licensing. They will be back in '06.
Once again, PDAC defeated all negative legislation and kept track of legislation that could have been amended to seriously harm the dealers. Please remember we are speaking of a four month legislative session and over 600 pieces of legislation!
Over the long history of the association there have been many successful lobbying efforts to kill legislation harmful to dealers. For example, when Colorado required personal injury protection as part on no-fault MV insurance, PDAC not only had motorcycles excluded, but defeated 5 attempts over 8 years to amend the no-fault statute to include motorcycles. Is no-fault a huge problem? Delaware included motorcycles and until it could be repealed dealers lost 50% of their street bike business!
There have been many, many other successes including stopping the following; a motorcycle lemon law, a surcharge on motorcycle tire disposal, mandatory health insurance for motorcyclists, a ban on 2-way communications on motorcycles, attempts to raise fines for motorcycle dealer violations, lowering noise emissions to levels motorcycles could not meet, inclusion in the Front Range Clean Air Program with requirements that could not be met and more.
Despite the effective efforts to stop bad legislation, PDAC also takes a proactive stance when looking to benefit its members. Prior to 1987, little was done to assure public lands stayed open to motorized recreation, especially under withering pressure from enviromental organizations to lock the public out. Four months before the Blue Ribbon Coalition was organized PDAC waded in with Colorado's existing off highway vehicle organization to form the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition. This organization has relied on PDAC for direction with PDAC's executive director serving as chairman for many years. COHVCO has had many successes and PDAC has been right there from the start.
Responding to the need for funds to build and maintain OHV trails, PDAC led the fight to pass the Colorado OHV Recreation Act in 1990. To date over 10 million dollars have been raised for trails! PDAC was instrumental in writing the successful legislation and PDAC's executive director has served both as chairman of the State OHV Grant Subcommittee and as chairman of the State Trails Committee. The stature of our industry in the eyes of State and Federal agencies and even radical enviromental groups has grown dramatically with PDAC's leadership.
Safety is always an issue for our industry. PDAC drafted and spearheaded the legislative movement to create the Motorcycle Operator Safety Training Program. Once again, PDAC's executive director served on the MOST committee for 6 years helping to insure proper implementation. Rider training graduates have grown ten fold since the passage of the legislation.
Of great concern to dealers is the issue of franchise legislation. PDAC was shoulder to shoulder with the Colorado Automobile Dealers Association in amending and broadening protection for powersports dealers in Colorado. There is more that can be done and PDAC is ready to move with your support.
One of the latest threats that will have to be discussed and addressed is the proliferation of big box stores and auto parts stores selling scooters and OHVs without their manufacturers or dealers being licensed in the state. This is a code red. Also, as more and more states move to title OHVs, PDAC will, with the active participation of its dealers, find a viable solution to this issue that can benefit all concerned.
It is more important than ever that every dealer participate and financially support their association. We cannot show weakness or lack of interest. To win and win consistently, this Association must increase its membership, its dealer participation and its financial resources.
