Xcel Energy is preparing for a possible extreme fire weather event in northern Colorado, with the potential for strong winds, low humidity, and dry ground conditions on Friday, January 16. The company has announced that it may implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) starting at 8 a.m. on Friday to reduce wildfire risk. This action could affect about 9,000 customers in Larimer and Weld counties, including parts of Fort Collins and nearby communities.
Weather forecasts suggest conditions may improve by around 4 p.m. Friday. If the PSPS or other weather-related outages occur, Xcel Energy will begin power restoration efforts after high winds and elevated fire risks have ended. Restoration could take from several hours to several days because crews must inspect entire power lines before re-energizing them.
Hundreds of crew members are expected to be ready by Friday to inspect lines, make repairs, and restore service when it is safe. Updates and safety tips are being shared through the company’s Event Update webpage. Xcel Energy plans to provide its next public update on Thursday morning.
“While wind speeds will be at the lower end of our thresholds for a PSPS, an unusually mild start to winter has contributed to historically dry conditions that create high risk for wildfires,” said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy—Colorado. “In the event of a Public Safety Power Shutoff, we will work to limit the number of those impacted and are preparing to ensure a quick restoration of power. We recognize that any amount of time without power is a hardship. As always, our crews will work as safely and quickly as they can to restore power in the event of a PSPS or other weather-related outages.”
The company is contacting potentially affected customers as the forecasted event approaches and will continue providing updates throughout the period with outage and restoration information. Customers can check their address online to see if they might be subject to a PSPS.
To prepare for possible outages, Xcel Energy advises customers to keep devices charged and assemble an emergency kit with items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, batteries, backup chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords for partial outages, instructions for manually opening powered doors like garage doors, and important phone numbers for reporting outages.
Customers who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity are encouraged to make additional preparations in case of extended outages; Xcel Energy will conduct extra outreach for qualifying medical customers.
The company continues investing in systems designed to reduce wildfire risk and minimize both the size and duration of potential disruptions.
Outages can be reported via several methods: through the Xcel Energy mobile app available from major app stores; 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.
Xcel Energy serves millions across eight states—Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas—and remains committed to providing reliable energy while advancing clean energy initiatives.
