Hundreds of Xcel Energy workers are inspecting and repairing power lines and poles in Colorado after strong winds caused outages affecting more than 80,000 customers. The National Weather Service has lifted the red flag warning and the particularly dangerous situation designation, with wildfire risk decreasing as of 5:00 a.m. Saturday.
The severe weather led Xcel Energy to implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event on Thursday in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties. Additional outages also affected customers outside the PSPS areas.
Power has already been restored for some customers. Xcel Energy expects most service to be restored by 10:00 p.m. tonight, but in some cases restoration may extend into Sunday due to significant damage and difficult locations. Teams must visually inspect lines before repairs can be made.
Xcel Energy has been communicating updates throughout the week using each customer’s preferred contact method and will continue to provide information as estimates change and repairs progress.
The company emphasized worker safety during restoration efforts. “Xcel Energy asks customers to cooperate to ensure worker safety while they work to restore electric service as quickly as possible.”
Customers are encouraged to report any damage such as downed lines or broken poles and avoid affected areas.
Resource centers have been opened in partnership with the American Red Cross and local emergency management offices at several locations including Georgetown Community Center, Carmody Middle School in Lakewood, Gilpin County Overnight Shelter in Black Hawk, Evergreen Fire Station, Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center in Idaho Springs, and Berthoud Fire Station. At these centers, impacted residents can charge phones and access emergency supplies. Xcel Energy’s red trucks will also be present at resource centers offering support and information.
For those needing food assistance across Colorado communities, a Food Search Map is available online for locating Hunger Relief Partners.
Customers can report outages through various channels: via the Xcel Energy mobile app (available on Apple App Store or Google Play), online at xcelenergy.com/out, by texting OUT or STAT to 98936 for outage reporting or status checks respectively, or by calling 1-800-895-1999 using an automated phone system that allows reports in under a minute.
Event updates along with safety tips are posted on Xcel Energy’s Event Updates webpage. Customers should keep their account details current via My Account for timely communications.
Updates about this weather event will continue on Xcel Energy’s website where an outage map provides real-time information when available. Customers are also advised to follow Xcel Energy on Facebook and X for further updates.
The PSPS events aim to reduce wildfire risks by shutting off power during extreme conditions like high winds and low humidity. “Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other data sources to decide how best to protect its customers,” according to the company statement.
Even neighborhoods with underground lines or no visible local damage may experience outages depending on grid configuration.
Since starting its Wildfire Mitigation work in 2020, Xcel Energy has invested in system improvements including replacing over 8,300 distribution poles; inspecting nearly 19,000 distribution poles; checking more than 2,800 miles of transmission lines; completing hundreds of priority equipment repairs; and installing new protection relays at substations during 2024 upgrades.
“Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider dedicated to serving millions of customers with excellence. We make energy work better for our customers—helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar—delivering better service while providing more reliable, resilient and sustainable energy.
We’re committed to leading the clean energy transition—meeting our customers’ need for cleaner energy while keeping bills as low as possible because those we serve depend on us.
Based in Minneapolis—we generate electricity & gas daily across eight states: Minnesota; Colorado; Wisconsin; Michigan; North Dakota; South Dakota; New Mexico & Texas,” according to company materials.
