As winter approaches in Colorado, state agencies are urging residents to prepare for potential power outages that can occur during storms bringing wind, rain, and snow. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management have outlined steps to help Coloradans stay safe when facing disruptions caused by severe weather.
Residents are advised to assemble an outage kit before any incident occurs. Essential items include flashlights, batteries, and a portable phone charger. It is also important to know how to contact your electricity provider online or by phone for updates or to report an outage. Additional guidance on preparing for outages is available from the Ready.gov Power Outage Fact Sheet.
After an outage ends, safety remains a priority. If there is a gas odor, individuals should evacuate immediately and call 911 once safely away from the area. Damaged power lines should be reported after leaving the vicinity. In areas affected by flooding, people are warned not to enter or use electrical equipment that may have been submerged until it has been inspected by a qualified professional.
“Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep generators, camp stoves and charcoal grills outdoors only in well-ventilated areas at least 20 feet away from windows.”
The agencies also recommend using surge protectors for electronics and unplugging appliances during outages to prevent overloads or damage from surges when power returns. Utilities should only be turned off if damage is suspected or local officials instruct it; gas lines must only be reactivated by qualified professionals.
For further information about utility contacts and preparedness recommendations, residents can refer to Xcel Energy’s outage safety resources at https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-safety, Black Hills Energy’s outage information at https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/outages, or consult the Colorado Rural Electric Association’s map of service providers at https://crea.coop/co-op-map-of-colorado/.
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