Gravel driveway cost in Fort Collins, CO
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (1,000 sq ft)
- $2,500 – $10,200
- Per sq ft
- $2.50 – $10
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- Level
- US $6,350
- Rank of 300 metros
- #123
- 1 = most expensive
Local price for a gravel driveway in the Fort Collins area: $2,500 to $10,200 for 1,000 sq ft. The low end is a basic job on easy ground; the high end is a premium spec with harder access. The midpoint lands close to the US figure. Construction laborers earn a median of $22.86 an hour in the Fort Collins area, 1% above the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 1,000 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO, standard level
$4,850 to $7,900
About $4.75 to $7.75 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 52% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $2,250 | $3,700 |
| Labor | $2,500 | $4,050 |
| Permits and fees | $60 | $140 |
| Total | $4,850 | $7,900 |
Cost breakdown for 1,000 sq ft in Fort Collins, CO
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $1,150 | $3,000 | $4,800 | 47% |
| Labor | $1,350 | $3,300 | $5,200 | 52% |
| Permits and fees | $0 | $100 | $200 | 2% |
| Total | $2,500 | $6,350 | $10,200 | 100% |
Where the Fort Collins price comes from
Labor is 52% of the midpoint bill here, against 50% nationally. The mix of trades behind this job is construction laborers (50%), operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (50%). We weight each trade's local median wage by that share and compare it with the national median. In Fort Collins the blended ratio comes out at 1.04.
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Fort Collins is at 96.1 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $3,100 nationally becomes $3,000 here (midpoint, 1,000 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 101.1: $0 to $200.
Is Fort Collins cheap or dear? The local comparison
Same job, same size (1,000 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Boulder is the priciest of the group at $6,550. Cheyenne is the cheapest at $6,100.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins, COthis page | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | |
| Boulder, CO40 miles | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +3% |
| Greeley, CO60 miles | $2,450 – $10,000 | $6,200 | −2% |
| Cheyenne, WY60 miles | $2,400 – $9,850 | $6,100 | −4% |
| Denver, CO90 miles | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +3% |
| Colorado Springs, CO135 miles | $2,450 – $10,000 | $6,250 | −2% |
| Colorado (statewide) | $2,550 – $10,300 | $6,400 | +1% |
| United States | $2,500 – $10,200 | $6,350 | level |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Fort Collins ranks #123 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Fort Collins is 1% below the Colorado figure.
Elsewhere in Colorado
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | 1,609,350 jobs | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +3% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | 316,060 jobs | $2,450 – $10,000 | $6,250 | −2% |
| Boulder, CO | 192,390 jobs | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +3% |
| Greeley, CO | 119,540 jobs | $2,450 – $10,000 | $6,200 | −2% |
| Grand Junction, CO | 67,170 jobs | $2,400 – $9,800 | $6,100 | −4% |
| Pueblo, CO | 61,780 jobs | $2,450 – $9,950 | $6,200 | −3% |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Collins against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port St. Lucie, FL | 170,820 jobs | $2,300 – $9,300 | $5,800 | −9% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | 168,700 jobs | $2,800 – $11,300 | $7,050 | +11% |
| Visalia, CA | 171,140 jobs | $2,600 – $10,500 | $6,550 | +3% |
| Lubbock, TX | 166,780 jobs | $2,150 – $8,750 | $5,450 | −14% |
The best months for gravel driveway in Fort Collins
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Ft Collins (5 miles from the city center). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For digging, grading and setting material in the ground, the comfortable months in Fort Collins are April through October: 7 of 12. Outside them, January, February, March, November and December have an average overnight low at or below freezing (32°F).
In January, February, March, November and December the average low is at or below freezing, which means frozen ground and slower digging, compaction and sod or stone placement. NOAA counts about 150 days a year with a low at or below 32°F at this station.
Fort Collins gets about 16 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 51 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (2.7 inches in May). Inside the workable window, September and October are the driest, at 1.4 and 1.3 inches. The station averages about 29 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45 | 18 | 0.4 | Cold |
| Feb | 47 | 21 | 0.5 | Cold |
| Mar | 56 | 29 | 1.3 | Cold |
| Apr | 63 | 35 | 2.1 | Workable |
| May | 71 | 44 | 2.7 | Workable |
| Jun | 82 | 53 | 1.9 | Workable |
| Jul | 87 | 59 | 1.6 | Workable |
| Aug | 85 | 57 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Sep | 77 | 48 | 1.4 | Workable |
| Oct | 64 | 36 | 1.3 | Workable |
| Nov | 53 | 26 | 0.7 | Cold |
| Dec | 44 | 18 | 0.5 | Cold |
Fort Collins: what basic, standard and premium work costs
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Fort Collins. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from single car (500 sq ft) to long rural (2,000 sq ft).
Basic
$2,500 to $5,600
Crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground
Standard
$4,850 to $7,900
Excavated base plus top course, fabric, light grading
Premium
$7,150 to $10,200
Deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| single car (500 sq ft) | $1,250 – $2,850 | $2,450 – $4,050 | $3,650 – $5,200 |
| two car (1,000 sq ft) | $2,500 – $5,600 | $4,850 – $7,900 | $7,150 – $10,200 |
| 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) | $2,500 – $5,600 | $4,850 – $7,900 | $7,150 – $10,200 |
| long rural (2,000 sq ft) | $5,000 – $11,100 | $9,600 – $15,700 | $14,200 – $20,300 |
Who does the work: Fort Collins trade wages
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 2 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Fort Collins the blend is 1.04.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 50%) the local median is $22.86 an hour, which is in line with the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $20.83 and $27.15 an hour. BLS counts 930 of them working in the area, 54.9 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is thinner than average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 50% of the weighting: a median of $31.08 an hour, 8% above the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $29.33 and $35.64 an hour. About 600 work in the metro. That is 35.4 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $300 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $140. That is a swing of roughly 2.2% to 4.7% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Fort Collins-Loveland has 169,430 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 138th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 50% | $20.83 | $22.86 | $27.15 | $22.66 | 1.01 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 50% | $29.33 | $31.08 | $35.64 | $28.78 | 1.08 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 1.04 | |||||
Why two Fort Collins quotes can differ
Labor share
HomeGuide puts labor at about 50% of a gravel driveway's total cost, so a longer or harder-to-reach site moves the price more than the stone does.
Grading and edging
Grading runs $1-$3 per sq ft. Edging to keep the stone in is $5-$18 per linear foot.
Stone is sold by weight
Stone is priced by the ton, so every extra inch of depth or foot of width adds loads of delivery.
Add-ons priced for Fort Collins
Add-ons start from national price ranges and are scaled by 1.00 for Fort Collins, which is the average of the area's wage index (1.04) and goods price index (0.96). The estimator above can add them to your total.
| Add-on | Local range |
|---|---|
| Add edging (approx. 1 ft per 10 sq ft) | $500 – $1,800 |
What nearby projects cost in Fort Collins
Jobs that often go together with gravel driveway are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Fort Collins wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, sod installation comes out highest (+3%) and concrete slab lowest (−1%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asphalt driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,050 – $7,550 | +2% |
| Concrete driveway | 600 sq ft | $3,650 – $9,250 | level |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $610 – $2,150 | +2% |
| Sod installation | 1,500 sq ft | $1,550 – $3,400 | +3% |
| Concrete slab | 400 sq ft | $2,450 – $5,150 | −1% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $3,050 – $5,550 | +2% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $4,850 to $7,900 for Fort Collins, CO is attached.
Detailed gravel driveway report for Fort Collins, CO, $9
The report lays out the gravel driveway numbers for Fort Collins, CO line by line, with the local wage and price inputs, permit and timing notes, a quote comparison sheet and the full method. Save your estimate above, preview page 1 free, and unlock the full report for $9 one-time, or get every report with CostLocal Pro.
Gravel driveway in Fort Collins: your questions
+How much does it cost to install a gravel driveway in Fort Collins?
For 1,000 sq ft, expect $2,500 to $10,200 in the Fort Collins area. A standard-spec job lands at $4,850 to $7,900. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for gravel driveway in Fort Collins?
About $2.50 to $10 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $0 to $200 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $2.50 to $10.
+Is gravel driveway cheaper in Fort Collins or Boulder?
Boulder is 40 miles away. The midpoint for 1,000 sq ft there is $6,550, which is 3% more than Fort Collins ($6,350). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Collins?
About 52% at the midpoint, or $3,300 out of $6,350. Materials are 47% and permits 2%. Nationally, labor is 50%.
+What would 100 ft x 10 ft (1,000 sq ft) cost in Fort Collins?
$2,500 to $10,200. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does gravel driveway need a permit in Fort Collins?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $0 to $200 for fees in the Fort Collins area (our national range of $0 to $200 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Collins expensive for gravel driveway compared with the rest of Colorado?
Fort Collins is 1% below the Colorado statewide estimate ($6,400 at the midpoint). We cover 7 metros in Colorado; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Fort Collins?
The BLS median is $22.86 an hour in the Fort Collins area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $20.83 to $27.15.
+What do basic and premium gravel driveway work cost in Fort Collins?
For 1,000 sq ft, basic work runs $2,500 to $5,600 and premium work $7,150 to $10,200. Basic means: crusher-run spread and compacted on firm ground. Premium means: deep multi-layer build, edging, culvert or drainage.
+When is the best time to install a gravel driveway in Fort Collins?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are April through October. September and October are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
+What does "add edging" add in Fort Collins?
$500 to $1,800 for 1,000 sq ft, from a national range scaled by the local wage and goods indexes.
Gravel driveway near Fort Collins
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does a Gravel Driveway Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- CalculateGravel: Gravel Driveway Cost in 2026 (accessed November 4, 2026)
- HomeGuide: 2026 Building Permit Costs | Fees & Cost Calculator (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Installed range spans a basic spread-and-compact job ($2.50/sq ft low, CalculateGravel) to a full build with excavation ($10/sq ft high, HomeGuide). Materials low end is DIY stone ($1.20/sq ft, CalculateGravel); high end is half of HomeGuide's $10 because it says labor is about 50% of the project.