GLENWOOD SPRINGS, Colorado ” Colorado’s average price per gallon of regular unleaded dropped below the $2 dollar mark for the first time in more than 3 years, on Nov. 19.

The statistics reported by the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) Weekly Fuel Gauge Report indicated that the average price per gallon of regular unleaded dropped 25 cents in one week.

As of Wednesday, Nov. 26, Colorado motorists were paying an average price per gallon for regular unleaded of $1.81, a full $2.28 lower than the year’s peak of $4.09 on July 16.

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The report showed the nation’s average price per gallon of regular unleaded 6 cents higher than the state’s average, at $1.87. That average is $2.24 lower than the nation’s peak of $4.11 on July 16.

AAA spokeswoman Wave Dreher estimated in October that the state’s gas prices could drop as low as $2.25 per gallon by Christmas, but most of the state is already well below that estimation.

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“This is the lowest prices Colorado has seen since February of 2005,” Dreher said.

The state’s average price is also well below last year’s $3.07 average price for the Thanksgiving week.

The biggest drop in three years is relative in Colorado’s resort communities. According to the report, which is a snapshot of the state taking prices from nine cities around the state with at least three gas stations, Colorado’s resort communities remain the highest in the state.

Glenwood Springs once again remains in the top spot, according to the report, at $2.33 average price per gallon of regular unleaded. Vail and Durango followed in second and third at $2.31 and $2.05 respectively.

The lowest average price per gallon recorded was in Colorado Springs at $1.66. Greeley and Denver were second and third, at $1.68 and $1.72, respectively.

Grand Junction was reported to have an average price per gallon of regular unleaded at $1.80 as of Nov. 26.

Contact John Gardner: 384-9114

jgardner@postindependent.com