Consumers prices in the western United States, including Colorado were up 0.4 percent in March and up 1.5 percent from March 2012, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said Tuesday.
Regional Commissioner Stanley Suchman said the March increase was influenced by higher prices for gasoline and shelter.
According to the agency, the energy index increased 1.6 percent from February to March. The increase was mainly due to higher prices for gasoline, which increased 2.8 percent. Prices for electricity were virtually unchanged, while prices for natural gas service declined 2.2 percent in March.
However, energy prices decreased 1.7 percent between March 2012 and March 2013, largely due to lower prices for gasoline, which declined 4.6 percent. Prices for natural gas over the year declined 2.2 percent, while prices for electricity advanced 6.2 percent.
Food prices were little changed in March from February, edging up 0.1 percent. From March 2012 to March 2013, food prices increased 1.5 percent.
Between March 2012 and March 2013,the index for all items less food and energy increased 1.9 percent.
Components contributing to the increase included medical care, which advanced 2.5 percent; shelter, which increased 2.4 percent, and education and communication, which increased 2.2 percent.
Partly offsetting the increases was a price decline in household furnishings and operations, which declined 0.4 percent.
The West Region covers Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939, hpankratz@denverpost.com or
