Xcel Energy has initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) affecting about 50,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties due to extreme wildfire risk. The company cited strong winds reaching up to 91 miles per hour as the main factor for the shutdown.
The utility anticipates another PSPS event on Friday, December 19, with similar weather conditions expected. Mountain communities and the Front Range area could be impacted starting at 5:00 a.m., and some areas may experience outages lasting more than three days if severe weather persists.
To support affected residents in Jefferson County, Xcel Energy is collaborating with the American Red Cross and local authorities to open two resource centers. These centers will operate today and tomorrow from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Evergreen Library (5000 County Hwy 73) and Belmar Library (555 S. Allison Parkway). Xcel Energy staff will be present to provide information and assistance, including phone charging services.
Hundreds of Xcel Energy team members and contractors are positioned along the Front Range to restore power after PSPS events or wind-related outages. Customers are encouraged to report any damage they see on power lines, avoid downed wires, and notify Xcel Energy of outages.
“Xcel Energy recognizes that a significant number of customers are likely to experience a power outage, and that these events are highly disruptive. The company’s goal is to limit the impact of a PSPS event as much as possible while effectively managing the high wildfire risk, and will continue communicating updates during the event, including information on outages and restoration,” according to an official statement.
Customers can check if their address may be subject to a PSPS by searching online through Xcel Energy’s website. Outages can be reported via multiple channels: through the mobile app available on Apple App Store or Google Play; online at xcelenergy.com/out; by texting OUT or STAT to 98936; or by calling 1-800-895-1999 for automated reporting.
The company advises all customers—especially those who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity—to prepare for extended outages by assembling emergency kits with battery-powered radios, flashlights, backup chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid supplies, extension cords for partial outages, manufacturer instructions for manually opening electric doors such as garage doors, and key contact numbers for Xcel Energy’s residential or business support lines.
Since launching its wildfire mitigation program in 2020, Xcel Energy has invested in system improvements aimed at reducing fire risks and limiting outage scope. In 2024 alone these efforts included replacing over 8,300 distribution poles; inspecting nearly 18,800 poles; reviewing more than 2,800 miles of transmission lines; making hundreds of priority repairs; and installing new protective relays at substations.
Xcel Energy serves millions across eight states from its headquarters in Minneapolis. The company describes itself as committed “to leading the transition toward clean energy” while maintaining reliable service at affordable rates for its customers.
