Denver Inflation Outpaces National Average in January

Costs for dining out, alcohol, and furniture see sharp increases in the Mile High City.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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The latest inflation report for the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood region shows consumer prices rose 2.6% year-over-year in January, outpacing the national inflation rate of 2.4%. Prices for dining out, alcoholic beverages, and furniture saw significant increases, while food at home and transportation costs provided some relief for consumers.

Why it matters

Inflation hitting Denver harder than the national average could put a damper on consumer spending, especially for discretionary items like dining out and alcohol. This could have broader economic implications for the region if the trend continues.

The details

Key drivers of Denver's higher inflation rate include a 5% increase in dining out costs, a 6.6% rise in alcoholic beverage prices, and an 8.8% jump in furniture prices. Factors like additional tariffs on Chinese goods and higher shipping costs contributed to the furniture price hike. Food at home saw only a 0.2% increase, aided by declines in fruit, vegetables, meat, and eggs. Transportation costs provided relief, with a 2.3% decline overall and an 18.3% drop in gasoline prices compared to a year earlier.

  • The latest inflation data for the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood region is from January 2026.
  • The U.S. inflation rate in January 2026 was 2.4%.

The players

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

The federal agency that tracks and reports on consumer prices and inflation.

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The takeaway

Denver consumers are facing higher inflation than the national average, particularly in areas like dining out, alcohol, and furniture. This could impact discretionary spending in the region, though some categories like transportation are providing relief. The data highlights the varied nature of inflation's impact across different markets.