Pueblo Gas War Gives Drivers Lowest Prices Around

Drivers are coming out the winners in a price battle between two Pueblo gas stations. It happens as gas prices across the country continue to drop.

Dozens of customers lined up the Western Convenience on South Prairie and Northern avenues Tuesday. A gallon of gas was $3.21 by the evening, up from $3.17 in the morning hours. An employee said the store is engaged in a gas war with the Gas Stop station down the street on Prairie. Tuesday the Gas Stop was selling both unleaded and unleaded plus for $3.24.

“Waiting in line is tough, but it’s worth it,” said Tracey Roybal, who waited in the line of cars at Western Convenience. “You can’t beat it.”

“I’m glad they’re having one,” said Gas Stop customer William Rivas of the gas war. “Because that’s helping the customers.”

While drivers may be hard-pressed to find prices that low throughout southern Colorado, analysts say relief at the pump is coming no matter where you live.

“Unless there’s some kind of unforeseen event such as a hurricane, we don’t anticipate any type of spike any time this summer,” said Gregg Laskoski, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com.

Gas prices in Colorado have been down five straight weeks with the average price now at $3.68 gallon. While that’s still higher than the national average of $3.59 a gallon, Laskoski said Colorado is headed in the right direction.

“The state average has come down 14 cents in the past month, and we think it’s going to continue to move lower,” he said.

Laskoski attributed the price drop to a healthier crude oil inventory and increased refinery production, as well as a stagnant global economy and job market.

“We’re seeing weakness, unfortunately, in the economy, not just in the U.S., but European economies as well. All of that is pushing crude oil prices down,” said Laskoski.

You can go to GasBuddy.com to find the cheapest gas in your area.