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Gas prices falling across country, but not in Aspen

Scott Condon

Prices at the gas pump are falling by a few cents per gallon, even at most locations in the Roaring Fork Valley, just as families are packing up their SUVS and hitting the road for vacations.A monthly survey of prices for regular unleaded gasoline between Aspen and Carbondale by The Aspen Times shows the cost nosed down 5 to 6 cents at most stations. That’s consistent with AAA’s findings throughout the country. AAA of Colorado reported that the average price for regular unleaded in Colorado decreased from $2.23 per gallon last month to $2.15 this month.Aspen was the exception, as is often the case.The price at the Local’s Corner Shell Station actually went up 2 cents per gallon since April 21. It crept up to $2.79.The Snowmass Village Conoco was the only other location where the monthly survey found a higher price this month. The folks there raised prices from $2.75 last month to $2.78.A couple of other places left prices where they were on April 21, even though AAA said the trend has been for prices to drop in Colorado over the last six weeks.The BP Amoco station at Main and Monarch kept its price at $2.77. The Aspen Village Phillips 66 station kept prices at $2.69.The two remaining stations in the upper valley dropped prices. The Amoco at the Airport Business Center dropped its price 3 cents to $2.75. The Old Snowmass Conoco dropped its price 6 cents per gallon to $2.45.In the Basalt and El Jebel area the price dropped 5 or 6 cents per gallon at all seven stations. Prices ranged from $2.34 at the 7-Eleven in Basalt to $2.39 at the El Jebel Shell station.Decreases were even more drastic in Carbondale. The price at the pump fell 8 to 12 cents per gallon since April 21. The price fell from $2.41 to $2.29 at the 7-Eleven, giving it the title for the lowest price in the survey. The Roaring Fork Valley Co-op station matched the 12-cent drop, decreasing its price to $2.31.AAA reported that the average price in Glenwood Springs on May 25 was $2.36. Vail’s average was $2.50, or about 25 cents less per gallon than travelers could find in Aspen.Throughout the nation, prices are 20 cents higher per gallon than last Memorial Day Weekend. That isn’t expected to deter travelers from driving this year.The national average price per gallon for regular unleaded gas is $2.11. It used to amaze people when prices topped $2 per gallon. Now it amazes them when prices fall below that level. That’s happening now in about 10 states, according to AAA.Oil prices shot up to near the $51-per-barrel level Thursday, causing speculation that the drop in prices at the pump could reverse.Scott Condon’s e-mail address is scondon@aspentimes.com