CO: Gas Prices Hit 6-Year Highs

DENVER (May 24, 2021) - The price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas has jumped to its highest mark since October 2014, per new analysis from AAA Colorado - just as nearly 700,000 Coloradans join the ranks of the 37 million Americans traveling for Memorial Day, most of them by car. 

"Nobody likes paying more at the pump, but rising gas prices tend to indicate that Colorado's enjoying a strong rebound from the past year of economic devastation," said Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA. "The good news is that prices are going up as the direct result of bullish consumer confidence and travelers heading to and through Colorado. The bad news is that they'll likely spike over Memorial Day before continuing a steadier rise over the course of the summer driving season." 

In Colorado, the price of a gallon of regular unleaded is currently three cents more than this time last week, 14 cents more than this time last month, and $1.15 more than this time last year. Still, prices are well below Colorado's highest-ever average, $4.09, recorded on July 17, 2008. 

Quick Stats
The national average currently sits at $3.04 per gallon, up from $2.89 a month ago. 

The nation's top 10 largest weekly changes : Hawaii (+4 cents), Indiana (-4 cents), California (+3 cents), Oregon (+3 cents), Colorado (+3 cents), Maryland (-3 cents), Georgia (-3 cents), Oklahoma (-3 cents), Illinois (-3 cents) and Wisconsin (-2 cents).

The nation's top 10 least expensive markets: Louisiana ($2.71), Mississippi ($2.71), Missouri ($2.73), Texas ($2.74), Oklahoma ($2.75), Arkansas ($2.76), Kansas ($2.83), Minnesota ($2.83), Alabama ($2.83) and North Dakota ($2.84).

Colorado Gas By the Numbers

Boulder-Longmont
• Current Average: $3.05
• Yesterday Average: $3.04
• Week Ago Average: $2.99
• Month Ago Average: $2.90
• Year Ago Average: $1.88

Fort Collins - Loveland
• Current Average: $3.05
• Yesterday Average: $3.05
• Week Ago Average: $3.01
• Month Ago Average: $2.90
• Year Ago Average: $1.94

Greeley
• Current Average: $3.05
• Yesterday Average: $3.05
• Week Ago Average: $3.03
• Month Ago Average: $2.91
• Year Ago Average: $1.91

Denver
• Current Average: $3.07
• Yesterday Average: $3.07
• Week Ago Average: $3.04
• Month Ago Average: $2.93
• Year Ago Average: $1.91

Colorado Springs
• Current Average: $3.10
• Yesterday Average: $3.09
• Week Ago Average: $3.08
• Month Ago Average: $2.96
• Year Ago Average: $1.90

Durango
• Current Average: $3.14
• Yesterday Average: $3.14
• Week Ago Average: $3.14
• Month Ago Average: $3.04
• Year Ago Average: $2.04

Grand Junction
• Current Average: $3.14
• Yesterday Average: $3.14
• Week Ago Average: $3.10
• Month Ago Average: $2.95
• Year Ago Average: $2.02

Pueblo
• Current Average: $3.19
• Yesterday Average: $3.19
• Week Ago Average: $3.18
• Month Ago Average: $3.09
• Year Ago Average: $1.98

Glenwood Springs
• Current Average: $3.38
• Yesterday Average: $3.41
• Week Ago Average: $3.38
• Month Ago Average: $3.25
• Year Ago Average: $2.16

Vail
• Current Average: $3.39
• Yesterday Average: $3.39
• Week Ago Average: $3.38
• Month Ago Average: $3.21
• Year Ago Average: $2.36