Xcel Energy has announced a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) starting at 10:00 a.m. on December 17, 2025, to lower the risk of wildfire. The outage will affect about 50,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties. Weather conditions are expected to improve around 6 p.m., but strong winds and low humidity may create ongoing wildfire risks and possible additional outages on Friday.
The company is monitoring changing weather forecasts and considering a second PSPS event for mountain communities and the Front Range on December 19. Some areas impacted by severe weather could remain without power for more than three days if conditions persist.
Xcel Energy relies on weather forecasts and other data sources to decide how best to protect public safety. Key factors in their risk models include high winds, low relative humidity, and dry soil conditions.
Hundreds of Xcel Energy crew members and contractors are stationed along the Front Range to restore power following any PSPS or wind-related outages. Customers are encouraged to report damage they see to power lines, stay away from downed lines, and notify Xcel Energy of outages outside PSPS areas.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for today due to high fire danger from forecasted strong winds and dry conditions.
Outages may also occur outside PSPS-affected areas because of the Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), which will be activated where needed. Restoration times may vary depending on weather impacts; crews must inspect entire power lines before service can safely resume.
“Xcel Energy recognizes that it is likely that a significant number of customers will experience an interruption, and that such events are highly disruptive,” the company stated. “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 throughout the event, including information about interruptions and restorations.”
Customers can check online if their address may be affected by a PSPS event.
To help speed up restoration efforts, customers are urged to report outages or visible damage through several channels: via Xcel Energy’s 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 phone reporting.
Event updates, preparation tips, outage reporting options, and safety information during severe weather events can be found on Xcel Energy’s event updates webpage.
For preparedness and safety during outages:
– Customers should keep phones charged and prepare an emergency kit with battery-powered radios, flashlights, spare batteries/chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords (for partial outages), manufacturer instructions for manually opening electric doors (like garage doors), as well as important phone numbers.
– Those who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity should take extra precautions for potential extended outages; Xcel Energy will conduct additional outreach to qualifying medical equipment users.
– Account information should be kept up-to-date through My Account.
– Updates are available by following Xcel Energy on Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).
Xcel Energy says it continues investing in system upgrades aimed at reducing wildfire risks while minimizing both size and duration of potential outages.
Based in Minneapolis (xcelenergy.com), Xcel Energy provides electricity and gas service across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Texas.
