Tribal fuel station pushes Parker gas prices lower

A new truck stop fuel station with a convenience store was opened by the Colorado River Indian Tribes Friday in Parker.

The station bears the name Running Man Fuel and is the latest addition to one of the Parker area’s key markets, with the large crowd attesting to the importance of fuel and auto-related products and services in Parker’s tourist-driven economy.

CRIT Chairman Dennis Patch cut the ribbon at the grand opening just after noon, telling the crowd it was a good day for the tribes.

“This should be a proud day for you,” Patch told CRIT members in the crowd. “If you want gas you can now get it from your own tribe.”

Regular unleaded gasoline was pumping for $1.85 (and nine-tenths) per gallon at Friday’s grand opening. Three of Running Man’s competitors were all selling at $1.85 early on Friday afternoon, a fourth station was at $1.86 and a fifth was selling for $1.87. Gasoline prices are continuing on a downward trend nationwide, but it seems likely that the latest prices are a response to CRIT entering the market.

The fuel market in Parker is driven by a large amount of traffic year-round, including a big market for RVs, SUVs and trucks, boats and other performance or recreational vehicles and watercraft. Parker is also on a relatively well-used trucking route, so CRIT’s bet is that an oversized lot and ‘truck stop’ style will pay off in the long run.

“The name comes from the Mohave tradition of running messengers,” said CRIT Vice-Chairman Keith Moses. “That’s how we used to get messages from one tribe to another and from place to place. Those running men were the way that we communicated with the community around us. So it’s a very significant name.”

Moses said the name was the winner of a contest in the Manataba Messenger. A second location near the entrance to Avi Suquilla Airport will also be called Running Man Fuel when it is completed.

Why are Parker fuel prices so high? Parker Live’s answer HERE.