CLIFF BRICE

The son of a postal worker and school teacher mother, Cliff Brice began his business during the height of The Great Depression. From humble beginnings, in 1930 he launched a successful career with his first retail gasoline location at 132 S. Weber, then the outskirts of downtown Colorado Springs, Colorado. Shortly thereafter, a location in downtown Pueblo, Colorado followed at 7th and Grand, next to Rood Candy Company. (They still have a station at that location)

Mr. Brice created a very successful organization based on hard work, sacrifice, and dedication to his customers. Selling “Bronze” gasoline from a small refinery in Enid Oklahoma, called Eason Oil, Cliff Brice Station, Inc soon developed a reputation for quality products at competitive prices.

After a fire destroyed the Eason refinery, Brice was forced to find another source of supply. In 1938, he teamed up with a small Texas refinery, then called Shamrock Oil. Cliff Brice Stations, Inc became the first location in Colorado for Shamrock Oil. Opening up new locations in the San Luis Valley resulted in being the first company to haul gasoline, by truck, over La Veta Pass. Cliff Brice stations remain Diamond Shamrock’s oldest ongoing account.

World War II brought gas rationing and tough times for everyone, including in the petroleum industry. Gasoline was needed for the war effort and very little was available to consumers. Mr. Brice decided to branch out by offering other products and services such as Kerosene and brand named motor oils such as Pennzoil and others, along with minor auto repair and full service stations.

After the war, cars were manufactured larger and more powerful. New grades of gasoline were in demand. Cliff Brice locations were some of the first to carry premium grade gasoline in Southern Colorado. During the 1950’s the Cliff Brice territory covered Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. Business was booming and with the association Diamond Shamrock, Cliff Brice grew to one of the largest independent jobbers in the west.

Although growing, Cliff Brice remained steadfast in its commitment to quality products, (There motto was then and is still today Quality Gas for Less) competitive prices and quality people working for the company. At one time, Cliff Brice Stations owned 75 stations throughout the Rocky Mountain West.

Cliff Brice continues today to be a leader in Southern Colorado as a suppler of
Quality Gas for Less..

Ric


Wanted: Conoco, Marland, Eason, Cliff Brice, Speedway and Oval E stuff!