Colorado is a major corn, wheat, and cattle state with the South Platte River corridor, Arkansas River Valley, and eastern plains supporting intensive dryland and irrigated production. Diesel Fuel (Farm) is currently priced at $3.88–$4.33/gallon in Colorado markets as of spring 2026, reflecting Mountain West supply chain conditions.
| Benchmark | Price | vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| NOLA barge (national reference) | $3.40–$3.80/gallon | +15–25% |
| Colorado co-op / distributor | $3.88–$4.33/gallon | +29–39% |
| Colorado retail delivered | $3.98–$4.45/gallon | +31–41% |
Diesel is near the midpoint of the 2-year range. Pre-buy on co-op fall discounts, but large forwards are not justified at current prices.
Colorado sources fertilizer via Denver-area distributors and Union Pacific rail from Gulf Coast producers; eastern plains farmers pay 10–16% premiums over NOLA benchmarks.
| Driver | Impact |
|---|---|
| Crude oil prices | WTI crude is the primary cost driver; farm diesel tracks crude with a 6–8 week lag. |
| Refinery capacity | U.S. refinery utilization affects the diesel crack spread independent of crude prices. |
| Seasonal demand | Spring planting and fall harvest create regional price spikes of 5–10 cents per gallon. |
| Off-road vs. on-road | Dyed off-road diesel runs $0.10–$0.20/gallon below on-road retail; use where legal. |
Colorado farmers typically source Diesel Fuel (Farm) through regional co-operatives, independent retailers, and direct distributor contracts. The most effective strategy in Mountain West markets is to compare co-op pre-pay pricing versus spot retail, as pre-pay discounts of 5–12% are standard for early fall bookings.
As of spring 2026, Diesel Fuel (Farm) in Colorado is priced at approximately $3.88–$4.33/gallon. Prices vary by county, co-op, and contract type. GrainBrief tracks weekly USDA AMS price reports and sends price alerts when signals change.
Colorado sits in the Mountain West supply zone. Colorado sources fertilizer via Denver-area distributors and Union Pacific rail from Gulf Coast producers. Premiums over NOLA benchmarks typically run 14–22% depending on season and logistics conditions.
Historically, fall pre-buy programs (August–October) offer the best pricing for the following spring application season. In-season spot prices during March–June carry a 5–15% logistics premium. GrainBrief's weekly signal tells you exactly when to act.
GrainBrief tracks USDA AMS, FRED, and EIA data weekly and sends you a buy, hold, or negotiate signal. Stop guessing. Start buying on data.
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