Fuel prices in Archuleta County continue to sit above the state average, but below the national average, an April 18 report from the American Automobile Association (AAA) indicates.
According to AAA gas price report, the current average gas price for regular unleaded in Durango is $3.48 per gallon, the most expensive listed for Colorado in the report. A month ago it was $3.31 per gallon and a year ago it was $4.07 per gallon.
The cheapest region of the state is the Boulder-Longmont area, with a current average of $3.08 per gallon.
On a national level, Colorado ranks as the second cheapest state in the country, behind only Mississippi with a current average price of $3.11 per gallon, the report states. New Mexico is the sixth cheapest state with an average price of $3.26 per gallon.
According to the report, “Colorado has the second-cheapest gas prices in the country with a statewide average of $3.16 per gallon of regular unleaded, fully 51 cents below the national average.”
The report notes that Colorado gas prices are down from $3.58 per gallon this time last year, and are up 10 cents on the month.
The most expensive state in the country currently is California with an average price of $5.45 per gallon. Arizona and Utah rank as the seventh and eighth most expensive states with average prices of $4.13 per gallon and $3.96 per gallon, respectively.
According to the AAA report, “Coloradans should make the most of comparatively low prices while they can,” states Skyler McKinley, regional director of public affairs for AAA, via the report.
He adds, “Looking ahead to a robust summer travel season combined with the long-expected, EPA-mandated switchover to reform gasoline, it won’t be long before Colorado sits above the national average.”
Investigation into local fuel prices ongoing
Citizens for Fair Fuel Prices (CFFP) Founder Jane Davison explained in an interview there is an open investigation with the Colorado Attorney General’s Office looking into reports of price gouging of fuel prices in Pagosa Springs.
Davison explained that she first started tracking local, regional and national gas prices in December 2023. She found that on Dec. 4, 2023, the average price per gallon for regular unleaded in Pagosa Springs was $3.88. Meanwhile, during that same time, the average price per gallon in Bayfield was $3.43, with prices as low as $3.33 per gallon in Durango.
“What gives me heartburn about this is I know how much it costs for transportation of fuel because I have invoices from Archuleta County ... and the price for transportation is around 10 cents a gallon. So, you can’t attribute a difference of 50 cents per gallon just for transportation,” Davison said.
She also mentioned that over the past two weeks gas prices haven’t changed much, or at all, noting the lowest price per gallon for regular unleaded on March 22 in Pagosa Springs was $3.44.
“The prices in Bayfield and Durango are generally on par with our prices now,” Davison added.
She noted that gas prices in the local area went up around the time of spring break, but since then haven’t changed much.
“What I’ve seen is that the price … it went up for spring break and it hasn’t gone down since then, but the price in general has gone up,” Davison said, adding, “From a local perspective, I’ve noticed that gas prices have remained unchanged.”
Davison also explained there is a complaint portal on the attorney general’s website where citizens can go and submit a complaint about unfair gas prices.
The CFFP met last on March 4, at which time it determined that it would not meet again until more information is received, Davison explained.
“It is still an active investigation,” she said, “and until the end of the investigation, we likely will not hear much.”
In an email to The SUN, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office Chief Communications Officer Lawrence Pacheco states, “The attorney general’s office cannot confirm or otherwise comment on investigations.”
clayton@pagosasun.com
