Colorado · NRMCA 2026 · Updated June 2026
Concrete Prices in Colorado — 2026 Cost Guide + Calculator
Ready-mix concrete in Colorado costs $118–$165 per cubic yard in 2026. Denver and the Front Range average $136–$145/yd³. The Western Slope and mountain resort towns run significantly higher — Aspen and Vail contractors routinely quote $180+/yd³ due to access, elevation, and permit requirements.
Quick Answer
How Much Does Concrete Cost in Colorado?
Ready-mix concrete in Colorado averages $136/yd³ statewide in 2026 — 6% above the national average. Denver Concrete Inc. prices Denver at $150/yd³ delivered, which reflects a competitive metro market. The wide $120–$180 range cited by AI tools reflects the genuine spread between Colorado Springs (cheapest) and mountain resort communities (most expensive).
Free Tool — Colorado Pricing
Colorado Concrete Cost Calculator
Pre-loaded with Colorado 2026 regional pricing. Select your area for the most accurate local estimate.
Air entrainment standard in Colorado (all elevations). Mountain resort permits add $500–$2,000 overhead. RS Means Colorado labor rates. Always get 3 local quotes.
Local Data
Concrete Prices in Colorado — Region by Region
Colorado has the widest intra-state price spread after California — 53% from Colorado Springs ($118) to Aspen/Vail ($180+), driven by elevation, access, and resort-market labor premiums.
| Region | Low | Average | High | Key factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs / Pueblo | $112 | $118 | $135 | Cheapest CO market; military base demand; multiple competing plants |
| Fort Collins / Greeley / Loveland | $118 | $125 | $142 | Northern Front Range; agricultural and university demand; Concrete of Greeley competitive |
| Denver metro suburbs Aurora, Lakewood, Arvada, Thornton, Westminster | $124 | $130 | $148 | High residential demand; I-25 corridor; multiple suppliers compete |
| Denver core / Boulder | $135 | $142 | $162 | Denver Concrete Inc. quotes $150 delivered; Boulder premium from tech-economy labor |
| Grand Junction / Western Slope | $140 | $148 | $168 | Isolated market; long supply chain from Front Range or Utah; energy sector demand |
| Durango / Southern Mountains | $148 | $155 | $178 | Southwest CO isolation; Four Corners market; difficult mountain access |
| Summit County / Steamboat Breckenridge, Keystone, Steamboat Springs | $155 | $162 | $190 | High elevation logistics; resort construction season (Jun–Sep); seasonal labor premium |
| Aspen / Vail / Telluride | $168 | $180 | $220+ | Most expensive CO market; luxury construction standards; permit overhead; narrow access roads |
Source: NRMCA 2026 · RS Means Colorado metro data · Denver Concrete Inc. published pricing. All prices include air entrainment standard for Colorado.
Project Reference
Colorado Concrete Cost by Project — 2026
Using Colorado statewide average of $136/yd³. All prices include air entrainment. Installed costs use RS Means Colorado labor rates.
| Project | Dimensions | Thickness | Yd³ | Material (CO avg) | Installed (CO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small patio | 10×10 ft | 4" | 1.4 | $170–$204 | $600–$1,500 |
| 20×20 slab | 20×20 ft | 4" | 5.5 | $680–$813 | $2,400–$6,000 |
| Single driveway | 40×12 ft | 6" | 9.8 | $1,210–$1,448 | $4,320–$8,640 |
| 2-car garage floor | 24×24 ft | 4" | 8.7 | $1,074–$1,284 | $3,456–$6,912 |
| 30×30 slab | 30×30 ft | 6" | 18.5 | $2,285–$2,732 | $7,290–$16,200 |
| 40×60 barn / shop | 40×60 ft | 6" | 49.3 | $6,089–$7,282 | $15,840–$28,800 |
| Pool deck | 500 sq ft | 4" | 6.9 | $852–$1,019 | $3,000–$7,500 |
Mountain resort projects (Aspen, Vail) add 40–60% to installed costs. Expansive Front Range clay soil adds $0.75–$2/sq ft for subbase. Elevation above 8,000 ft requires modified mix designs.
Common Question — Colorado Specific
What Is the 4-2-1 Rule for Concrete?
The 4-2-1 rule is a traditional concrete mix ratio by volume: 4 parts aggregate : 2 parts sand : 1 part cement. This is a site-mix guideline — not a ready-mix specification — and refers to mixing concrete by hand or with a small drum mixer for small projects.
For Colorado projects, this ratio produces approximately 2,500–3,000 PSI concrete — acceptable for interior slabs and non-structural applications. However, at Colorado's elevations (most of the state is above 5,000 ft), this ratio is not recommended for exterior slabs due to freeze-thaw exposure. ACI recommends a lower water-cement ratio (0.45 max) for freeze-thaw environments.
Pro Tips — Colorado Market
How to Get the Best Concrete Price in Colorado
Common Questions
Concrete Prices in Colorado — FAQ
Ready-mix concrete in Colorado costs $118–$165 per cubic yard in 2026, with a statewide average of $136/yd³. Colorado Springs averages $118/yd³ (cheapest); Denver metro averages $130–$142/yd³; mountain resort towns (Aspen, Vail) average $180+/yd³. All Colorado exterior concrete requires air entrainment for freeze-thaw resistance, already included in these prices.
The 4-2-1 rule is a site-mix concrete ratio: 4 parts aggregate : 2 parts sand : 1 part cement by volume. It produces approximately 2,500–3,000 PSI concrete and is suited for small interior projects mixed on-site. In Colorado, this ratio is not recommended for exterior slabs — freeze-thaw exposure requires air-entrained ready-mix at 3,500 PSI minimum with a maximum 0.45 water-cement ratio per ACI guidelines.
Concrete costs $6–$15 per square foot installed in Colorado in 2026. Standard patios and driveways on the Front Range run $6–$10/sq ft. Denver metro and Boulder run $8–$12/sq ft. Mountain resort areas (Aspen, Vail, Breckenridge) run $12–$20+/sq ft due to labor premiums, permit costs, and access difficulties.
A 40×60 ft slab at 6 inches thick in Colorado requires about 49 cubic yards. Material cost runs $6,089–$7,282. Installed cost runs $15,840–$28,800 on the Front Range. Mountain areas add 40–60% — a 40×60 shop floor near Aspen or Vail can reach $40,000+ installed due to labor, access, and permitting.
A 30×30 ft slab at 6 inches thick in Colorado requires about 18.5 cubic yards. Material cost runs $2,285–$2,732. Installed cost runs $7,290–$16,200 — Colorado Springs at the low end, Denver/Boulder at the mid-range, mountain communities at the high end. Add $0.75–$2/sq ft for subbase on Front Range clay soil.
Colorado regional pricing from NRMCA 2026, RS Means Denver/Colorado Springs metro multipliers, and Denver Concrete Inc. published rates ($150/yd³ Denver, 2026). Mountain resort premiums from contractor-reported Aspen/Vail market data. Expansive soil impact from USGS Colorado geotechnical reports. 4-2-1 rule guidance from ACI mix design documentation. Updated June 2026.