The average price of a regular gallon of gasoline in the Fort Collins and Loveland areas dipped to $2.98 Friday, 36 cents cheaper than a month ago, according to AAA.

Gas prices in Greeley sank to $3, 39 cents cheaper than last month. Gas prices statewide also averaged $3, down from $3.41 last month.

In the Boulder and Longmont areas, gas prices fell slightly to $2.96. Gas prices declined to $2.91 in Colorado Springs and to $2.99 in Denver.

While gas prices have decreased statewide in recent weeks, gas prices began climbed 1 cent to $3.27 nationwide. The average gallon of gas cost $3.42 last month.

Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy.com, pointed out that the national average has risen between Christmas Day and Jan. 15 the last six out of seven years.

"There's no reason to believe now that this won't happen again," he said in a blog post.

Factors that could influence a price increase include booming oil and gasoline inventories and a lackluster holiday retail season, he said.

"Motorists across the country will see rising prices in the days ahead," he said.