Xcel Energy announced it will carry out a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in northern Colorado starting at about 8 a.m. on Friday. This measure is intended to reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety, affecting approximately 9,000 customers in Larimer and Weld counties. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area due to forecasts of strong winds reaching up to 65 mph, low humidity, and very dry ground conditions.
The company stated that these wind conditions also increase the likelihood of damage to power infrastructure, which could result in additional outages beyond those caused by the planned PSPS. Customers outside the designated PSPS zone may still lose power because of the severe weather or from Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), which will be activated across affected regions. Xcel Energy advised customers to report any visible damage to power lines and stay away from downed wires.
Weather is expected to improve by around 4 p.m., but restoration efforts will not begin until hazardous winds and fire risks have decreased. The process of restoring electricity may take from several hours up to several days because crews must inspect entire power lines before re-energizing them. Teams from across Colorado will work extended hours overnight into Saturday, continuing operations until all affected customers regain service.
Xcel Energy acknowledged that outages are highly disruptive but emphasized their commitment to minimizing impacts while managing wildfire risks: “The company’s goal is to limit impacts as much as possible while effectively managing high wildfire risk and will continue to communicate updates through the event, including outage and restoration information.”
Customers can check whether they are included in the PSPS by looking up their address online. Outages or damages can be reported through multiple channels: via the Xcel Energy mobile app available on Apple App Store and Google Play; online at xcelenergy.com/out; by texting OUT or STAT to 98936; or by calling 1-800-895-1999 using an automated system designed for quick reporting.
For ongoing updates about this event, tips on preparedness, safety instructions, and outage status, customers are directed to visit the Xcel Energy Event Update webpage.
Xcel Energy recommends preparing for possible outages by charging devices in advance and assembling an emergency kit with essential items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, bottled water, non-perishable food, manual can openers, first aid supplies, extension cords for partial outages, manufacturer’s instructions for manual operation of powered doors like garage doors, backup chargers for phones that do not require electricity, non-electric alarm clocks, and company contact numbers.
Customers who depend on electrically powered medical equipment are reminded to make contingency plans for extended outages. Xcel Energy will reach out directly to qualifying medical customers.
The company continues investing in its systems with the aim of reducing wildfire risks and limiting both frequency and duration of power interruptions.
Xcel Energy serves millions of customers across eight states including Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. It is headquartered in Minneapolis. More information can be found at xcelenergy.com or via their social media accounts on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
