How it all began...

Retired Denver firefighter, Dennis Finley, came up with the idea for the Hot Times Kool Cars Benefit Auto Show in 1993.  Dennis felt that hosting a little parking lot show, with a few friends would be a great way of getting together, talking about cars, having a little fun, and perhaps raise a few dollars for the kids at Children's Hospital burn center.  Firefight ers worldwide will go out of their way to help a child.  In Dennis' case, years of coping with the devastating effects of fire has sharpened his awareness of the lifelong impact on a child who has been burned severely.  As a result, Dennis and a small group of friends and fellow firefighters staged the first Hot Times Kool Cars show in the fall of 1993.  To their surprise over 300 cars showed up for the first show.   

We are proud to say that we have raised over $1,200,000 in 17 years.  Each year we hold the car show on the last Sunday of August at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. The show is great entertainment for the whole family with hundreds of cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even boats to look at.  Food is available like our pancake breakfast, firefighter's chili, ice cream & Pepsi.  At the end of the show the raffle car is given away.  Raffle tickets are $5 each or 6 for $25.  The proceeds go to the burn center at The Children's Hospital for patient care and prevention.