Xcel Energy announced on March 14 that hundreds of crew members are being deployed to inspect and repair power lines following an extreme wind event in Colorado. The company said that while high winds may subside, power restoration will not be immediate as each line must be checked for damage before it can be safely re-energized.
The ongoing severe weather has caused widespread outages, with some customers potentially facing disruptions through the weekend. Xcel Energy acknowledged that a small number of customers have been without power since Thursday’s wind event. The company urged the public to give crews space to work safely and efficiently during the restoration process.
Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events have been implemented to reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety. Xcel Energy said these decisions are based on weather forecasts and data such as high winds, low humidity, and dry ground conditions—all present during this event. Customers with underground power lines or no visible damage nearby may still experience outages due to how neighborhoods connect to the larger grid.
A resource center has been set up at North Boulder Recreation Center for those affected by the PSPS, where Xcel Energy staff are providing support and information. The company encouraged customers to report outages or damaged lines using its mobile app, website, text service, or phone hotline. Updates about the situation are available on Xcel Energy’s Event Update webpage.
Customers were also advised to prepare for possible extended outages by assembling emergency kits with essentials like battery-powered radios, flashlights, bottled water, non-perishable food, and backup chargers. Those relying on medical equipment powered by electricity were reminded to take extra precautions.
Xcel Energy said it continues investing in system improvements aimed at reducing wildfire risks and limiting outage impacts. Recent upgrades include replacing thousands of distribution poles, inspecting transmission lines, completing priority repairs on equipment, and installing new protection relays at substations.
