One hundred years ago, against a backdrop of misleading advertising, questionable products and yes, even rampant chicanery, the organization now known as the Better Business Bureau was born.

Samuel Dobbs, who would later become president of The Coca-Cola Co., started a campaign in 1909 on behalf of higher ethical standards in advertising. By 1911, his campaign had become a crusade for the Associated Advertising Clubs of America, the forerunner to the American Advertising Federation. In 1912, a National Vigilance Committee was formed to focus on regional and national advertising and became known as the National Better Business Bureau of the Associated Advertising Clubs of the World. Years later it would become known simply as the Better Business Bureau.

The year 1912 was a time when Americans faced issues not unlike those we face today: immigration and poverty, labor and monopoly battles, work safety and child labor. And it was a time when people were taking a stand and a tremendous effort was being made to give the common man, woman and child a greater voice.

The BBB serving Northern Colorado and Wyoming will mark A Century of Trust when the BBB Foundation honors businesses from Northern Colorado and Wyoming