DENVER — The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline dropped below $2 per gallon for the first time in four years, according to a nationwide analysis by AAA.
"AAA expects gas prices will keep dropping because of historically cheap crude and, in Colorado and across the country, people staying home and using less gasoline," said Skyler McKinley, director of public affairs for AAA Colorado. "Importantly, even as demand diminishes, COVID-19 has not impacted gasoline supply and motorists can expect to fill up just as they did before."
AAA said the national gas price average sits at $1.99. In Colorado, the statewide average is $1.96 – with motorists able to find gas below $2.50 at 99% of gas stations, under $2 at 67% of stations and below $1.75 at 16% of stations around the state.
AAA said there are two important factors pushing gas prices downward – COVID-19's chilling effect on the global economy and crude oil demand, and the crude oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia. Crude has plummeted to $20 a barrel – a closing price not seen since 2002.
The Environmental Protection Agency has extended the sale of winter-blend past the May 1 deadline to May 20 because the U.S. has an unusual amount of winter-blend gasoline still available for the year. As a result, the agency said they will continue to monitor and may well extend the waiver again.
Parker resident Bill Boyer said he filled up at the Stroh Ranch King Soopers where gas was priced at $1.33 a gallon.
"If you use your King Soopers card, the price drops to $1.30 - just across the street it was $1.31 a gallon," said Boyer.
AAA forecasts show that until crude oil prices increase and the COVID-19 challenge passes, cheaper gas prices are here for the foreseeable future.
"The EPA's extension of the winter-blend gasoline waiver will contribute to sustained lower prices," McKinley said. "Especially as U.S. gasoline demand readings look more like winter-driving season than spring."
Colorado gas prices across the state from AAA
Denver
- Current average: $1.87
- Yesterday average: $1.89
- Week ago average: $1.97
- Month ago average: $2.28
- Year ago average: $2.43
Boulder-Longmont
- Current average: $1.93
- Yesterday average: $1.93
- Week ago average: $2.04
- Month ago average: $2.31
- Year ago average: $2.44
Greeley
- Current average: $1.86
- Yesterday average: $1.88
- Week ago average: $1.94
- Month ago average: $2.26
- Year ago average: $2.49
Grand Junction
- Current average: $1.91
- Yesterday average: $1.92
- Week ago average: $1.99
- Month ago average: $2.31
- Year ago average: $2.56
Colorado Springs
- Current average: $1.91
- Yesterday average: $1.92
- Week ago average: $1.98
- Month ago average: $2.27
- Year ago average: $2.46
Vail
- Current average: $1.99
- Yesterday average: $1.99
- Week ago average: $2.29
- Month ago average: $2.81
- Year ago average: $2.83
Fort Collins-Loveland
- Current average: $2.08
- Yesterday average: $2.09
- Week ago average: $2.15
- Month ago average: $2.41
- Year ago average: $2.46
Pueblo
- Current average: $2.12
- Yesterday average: $2.13
- Week ago average: $2.19
- Month ago average: $2.37
- Year ago average: $2.50
Glenwood Springs
- Current average: $2.28
- Yesterday average: $2.31
- Week ago average: $2.35
- Month ago average: $2.64
- Year ago average: $2.69
Durango
- Current average: $2.37
- Yesterday average: $2.37
- Week ago average: $2.38
- Month ago average: $2.40
- Year ago average: $2.52
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