Xcel Energy is preparing for potential extreme weather conditions and an increased risk of wildfires in northern Colorado. The company announced it may implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) on Friday, January 16, starting at 8:00 a.m., which could affect about 9,000 customers in Larimer and Weld counties, including parts of Fort Collins and nearby communities to the north and west. Weather forecasts indicate strong winds, low humidity, and very dry conditions could lead to significant wildfire danger.
If the PSPS becomes necessary or if other weather-related outages occur on Xcel Energy’s network, restoration work will begin once high winds subside and fire risks decrease. Hundreds of technicians are scheduled to inspect lines, make repairs, and restore service as soon as it is safe. Restoration could take from several hours up to multiple days because crews must check every line before re-energizing.
The company is providing updates about the event and offering safety tips for customers through its Event Updates webpage. The next public update is expected Thursday morning.
“While wind speeds will remain at the lower end of our thresholds for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), the unusually mild start to winter has contributed to historically dry conditions that create a high wildfire risk,” said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy—Colorado. “In the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff, we will work to limit the number affected and are preparing to ensure rapid restoration of service. We recognize that any electric interruption represents a hardship. As always, our teams will work as safely and quickly as possible to restore power in case of a PSPS or other weather-related interruptions.”
Xcel Energy plans ongoing communication with potentially impacted customers ahead of the forecasted weather event and will provide updated information about outages and restoration throughout the incident. Customers can check online using their address to see if they might be affected by the PSPS.
To prepare for possible outages, Xcel Energy recommends customers keep their contact details current in their account settings online. They should also follow Xcel Energy on social media platforms such as Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) for real-time updates.
Customers are encouraged to assemble an emergency kit with items like battery-powered radios, flashlights, spare batteries or chargers for phones, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords (for partial outages), instructions for manually opening electric doors such as garage doors, clocks that do not require electricity, backup phone options that do not rely on electricity supply—and have important phone numbers ready including those for residential or business support at Xcel Energy.
Those who depend on electrically powered medical equipment should make arrangements now for backup power supplies; qualifying medical customers will be contacted directly by Xcel Energy.
Xcel Energy states it continues investing in its electrical systems across its eight-state service area—including Colorado—to reduce wildfire risks while limiting outage size and duration when they occur.
