Propane comes by truck. A supplier fills a tank on your property, and you pay by the gallon. That is how many homes beyond the natural gas mains near Durango heat and cook.
Who needs propane in Durango?
Atmos Energy serves natural gas where its mains reach. Beyond the mains, homes run on propane, with a tank and a delivery contract. Our utilities guide explains which services are city, co-op or private, and how to check which column your address falls in. If you are buying a rural house, ask the seller about the propane contract, the tank and who owns it.
Who delivers propane to Durango homes?
Several companies serve the area:
- Arrowhead Propane lists a Durango location with a phone number of 970-422-5280, open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and says it offers 24/7 emergency service (Arrowhead Propane).
- LP Propane has a Durango page and describes itself as a local, family-owned provider with flexible delivery schedules and friendly service (LP Propane).
- Pagosa Springs suppliers also appear in the directory, such as Inter-Mountain Propane, which is rated 4.9 across 48 Google reviews. Our heating contractors guide notes that many regional suppliers are based in Pagosa Springs.
Ask each supplier whether it delivers to your road in winter. Call for a written price and fee schedule before you sign. Browse the propane supplier category in the directory to compare more.
How much does propane cost in Colorado?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration put Colorado's average residential propane price at $2.362 a gallon for the week of October 19, 2026 (EIA). That is up 10 cents from the week before and 24.9 cents from a year earlier. The Rocky Mountain region averaged $2.340, and the U.S. average was $2.689. As an example, which is our arithmetic and not the EIA's, 100 gallons at the Colorado average would cost about $236.
Your own price will differ. The EIA figure is a statewide average, and suppliers may add tank rental or delivery charges, so ask for the full cost in writing. Prices also move weekly in heating season. The EIA collects them each week from October through March.
When should you order?
Before the cold. Our heating guide's calendar says to book the furnace tune-up in September and order propane at the same time if you heat with it.
Where should the tank sit?
Away from the house. The Colorado State Forest Service says aboveground propane tanks belong at least 30 feet from the house, with flammable plants cleared within 10 feet of the tank and gas meter, as our heating contractors guide reports. Our wildfire preparedness guide covers the rest of the defensible-space picture.
Can you get help paying for propane?
Possibly. Colorado's Low-income Energy Assistance Program, LEAP, helps eligible households pay part of their winter heating costs. The 2026-27 season begins accepting applications on November 1, 2026. Households with income up to 60% of the state median may qualify. In most cases the benefit goes straight to your heating fuel vendor (Colorado Department of Human Services). The program does not cover portable heaters.
What should propane owners do each fall?
The calendar in our heating contractors guide is a good checklist. In September, book the furnace tune-up and order propane. In October, test your carbon monoxide alarms. In November, learn where your gas, propane and electrical shutoffs are, so you can find them in the dark. Do those three and you have covered the basics.
What about small cylinders?
For a grill or camp stove, you do not need a delivery contract. Albertsons at 311 W College Drive lists AmeriGas Propane among its store services, according to its Durango page. Call the store to confirm what it exchanges. Homes off the mains often run on a well and septic system as well, so see our answer on pumping a septic tank in La Plata County.