How to read EIA propane price data
How to interpret the EIA weekly residential propane survey for Colorado: schedule, observation dates, and limits.
The EIA series is a weekly statewide residential propane price survey used as a benchmark. It tells you about the state, during the survey season, as of a specific observation date. It does not tell you what your supplier will charge.
Schedule
According to EIA, the heating-fuel survey runs October through March, with releases on Wednesdays after 1 p.m. Eastern, shifted around holidays. Outside that season you should not expect fresh weekly points.
Observation date versus everything else
Each data point has an observation date, the date EIA attributes the survey to. That is different from the date we reviewed this page, the date the site refreshed, and the date you are reading. When you cite a number, cite its observation date.
Statewide, not county
The Colorado series is one number for the state. Every county on this site shows the same statewide benchmark. We do not publish county averages because EIA does not provide them in this series.
How this site refreshes
The site refreshes on a schedule of Thursdays at 18:00 UTC, catches up on the next request or startup if the host was asleep, and retries hourly if EIA is unavailable, keeping the last verified data meanwhile. The authoritative source is always EIA itself.
Hypothetical: reading two observations
Two invented points to show how to describe change.
| Week 1 observation | $3.00 per gallon |
|---|---|
| Week 2 observation | $3.06 per gallon |
| Change | +$0.06, or 2.0 percent |
All dollar figures in this worked example are hypothetical round numbers chosen to show the arithmetic. They are not EIA data, not a quote, and not a prediction.
Checklist
- Open the official EIA Colorado series and check the observation date.
- Compare like dates when looking at change.
- Treat the figure as a statewide benchmark only.
- Ask suppliers for address-level quotes.
- If something looks wrong here, trust EIA and recheck the source.
Official sources
- EIA Heating Oil and Propane Update. Survey schedule and methodology for the October-March residential price survey.
- EIA Colorado residential propane series (W_EPLLPA_PRS_SCO_DPG). The official weekly Colorado series with observation dates.
- EIA Energy Explained: propane prices. Background on what moves propane prices.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
- Why no data in summer?
- EIA describes the survey as running October through March.
- Is the number a guaranteed price?
- No. It is a survey benchmark.
- What if this site and EIA disagree?
- Use EIA. Our display can lag the source.
Content reviewed October 5, 2026. Dates of data observations are separate and shown at the source.
Location picks reflect Colorado Propane Prices’ editorial judgment, not independent testing. Confirm every supplier’s coverage and delivered price directly. General information only; not a quote, not professional advice, and no price is guaranteed.