COLORADO SPRINGS — Colorado has gone from having the second lowest gasoline prices in the country to topping the national average.

The latest figures from AAA showed the average price of a gallon of unleaded in Colorado was $3.507 while the national average was $3.486.

Colorado Springs, however, bucked the trend, with a gallon of gasoline costing an average of only $3.410, the lowest in the state.

In one month the national average climbed about fifteen cents a gallon, while Colorado Springs prices dropped that much.

In other areas of Colorado, gasoline ranged from $3.439 to $3.950 in Vail, which typically has some of the highest prices in the state.

LOUISVILLE — A 7-Eleven convenience store has closed its doors after twenty-five years in business. It just couldn't sustain itself during this economy.

Corporate officials in Dallas said sales had been falling at the store on McCaslin Boulevard for several years. "They just weren't where we needed them to be," said Margaret Chabris, spokeswoman for the chain.

The franchisee left the business in the hands of the employees and took over another 7-Eleven in Boulder. The corporation decided to close the Louisville store rather than try new management.

The store opened in 1987. Now town residents who want to continue to frequent 7-Eleven will have to drive to Lafayette.

COLORADO SPRINGS — Police are looking for a man who carjacked a kid's bike in front of a 7-Eleven convenience store.

The fifteen-year-old told authorities he and a friend were standing outside the store when a man came up and threatened to hurt them if he didn't get something valuable. The youth told him the only thing he had on him of value was his bicycle. He hoped that would make the man go away. Instead he got on the bike and rode off.

COLORADO SPRINGS — Sometimes the most convenient thing a firefighter can get at a convenience store is a map.

That happened here during the recent Waldo Canyon fire, and the convenience store operator was happy to supply it.

Many firefighters who battled the blaze came from out of town, even out of state. They didn't know the area and they needed information fast. So they stopped at the Loaf 'N Jug on the edge of the fire area and asked for maps. When they tried to pay for them, store manager Jeff Bennefeld said, "Just take them and go."

BOULDER — If you don't want to drive away from the Conoco station at Arapahoe and Broadway you can always float away.

The convenience store there sits next to Boulder Creek and does a good business in inner tubes. It also provides free air from a pump outside.

The tubes are large and perfect for tubing and, because they are sold year-round, can be used for sledding.

PUEBLO — The annual Loaf 'N Jug Chile and Frijoles Festival is scheduled for Sept. 21-23.

The event pays homage to two of Pueblo's best crops: green chilies and frijoles.

The Chile and Frijoles Festival features live entertainment, arts and crafts, street vendors and cooking competitions. But the most excitement comes with the annual jalapeno eating contest. First price is $100, second is $50, and third is $25. Lots of cold water is kept on hand.

The harvest festival started with only a few thousand in attendance and now hosts from 90,000 to 100,000 people who come from all over the country to take part.

DENVER — The Waterway Gas and Wash likes to support teachers.

The company recently held a teacher appreciation month.

By showing their ID teachers got a free car wash, a free fountain soda, and discounted gasoline every Wednesday during the month.

The gasoline discount was ten cents a gallon.

Originally published in the September 2012 issue of the O&A Marketing News.
Copyright 2012 by KAL Publications Inc.