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. UAN 32% Liquid Nitrogen is currently priced at $0.32–$0.41/gallon in Colorado markets as of spring 2026, reflecting Mountain West supply chain conditions.
| Benchmark | Price | vs. 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| NOLA barge (national reference) | $0.28–$0.36/gallon | +15–25% |
| Colorado co-op / distributor | $0.32–$0.41/gallon | +29–39% |
| Colorado retail delivered | $0.33–$0.42/gallon | +31–41% |
Avoid spot buying UAN during peak application windows. Pre-book Q3 side-dress needs in July before in-season premiums widen.
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 |
|---|---|
| Natural gas feedstock | UAN is produced from ammonia and urea; natural gas is 70–80% of production cost. |
| Urea and ammonia spot prices | UAN pricing tracks ammonia and urea proportionally — watch both benchmarks. |
| Transportation and logistics | UAN is liquid; tank truck and rail add cost versus dry products, especially in remote regions. |
| In-season demand spikes | Side-dress demand creates short-term price spikes during May–June planting windows. |
Colorado farmers typically source UAN 32% Liquid Nitrogen 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, UAN 32% Liquid Nitrogen in Colorado is priced at approximately $0.32–$0.41/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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