Consumer prices for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley metropolitan area increased 1.8 percent from the first half of 2011 to the first half of 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Regional Commissioner Stanley W. Suchman said higher costs for shelter, which rose 2.1 percent, and food, which rose 3.9 percent, had the largest upward impact.
Energy costs rose 1.1 percent and the index for all items less food and energy was up 1.5 percent.
The 3.9 percent rise in food prices was led by a 4.2 percent advance in prices for food at home.
Also contributing to the higher food costs, prices for food away from home rose 3.7 percent over the year.
The report, released Wednesday, said that the cost of shelter increased 2.1 percent over the year; medical care increased 4.9 percent and education and communication rose 2.2 percent.
In contrast, apparel declined 4.4 percent and household furnishings and operations declined 3.3 percent.
As far as household energy, prices declined over the year for utility (piped) gas service by 5.4 percent and electricity, 1.2 percent.
The Denver Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (Denver CPI-U) stood at 222.960 for the first half of 2012 . This means that a market basket of goods and services that cost $100 during the 1982-84 base period cost $222.96 during the first half of 2012.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939, hpankratz@denverpost.com or
