Xcel Energy is preparing for severe weather conditions in Colorado, as forecasts predict strong winds starting Tuesday, February 17. The combination of historically low snowfall, unusually warm and dry weather, and very dry vegetation has increased the risk of large and fast-moving wildfires.
The company anticipates that wildfire risk will rise, with high winds increasing the chances of damage to power lines and potential power outages. These weather conditions are expected to peak on Tuesday and continue through Thursday.
To address these risks, Xcel Energy will activate Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) in eastern Colorado over the next 48-72 hours. EPSS makes power lines more sensitive so they can instantly stop electricity flow if an issue is detected, such as a tree branch or other object touching the line. The company notes that this does not mean customers’ electricity is proactively shut off; rather, if an outage occurs during EPSS activation, it results from a problem on the line. Power will remain off until crews visually inspect the lines to ensure safety before restoring service. This could mean longer outage durations when these settings are active.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), which involve turning off electricity in specific areas for limited times when wildfire risks are extremely high and other methods like EPSS are insufficient, are not currently being considered by Xcel Energy. The company believes current weather conditions are unlikely to meet PSPS criteria but will continue monitoring forecasts and updating mitigation measures as needed.
“Xcel Energy encourages customers to take steps now to prepare for possible wildfires and power outages,” the company stated.
Customers should review their contact information in My Account and update it if necessary. Those who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity should consider enrolling in Xcel Energy’s “Seguro para Colorado” program for additional support if they qualify due to medical needs. The company emphasized: “As an important reminder for customers who have medical equipment dependent on electric service, please take steps to prepare a backup power supply in case outages occur.” Qualified medical customers in affected areas will be contacted directly about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts.
To stay informed during outages, customers should keep their account details up-to-date and monitor Xcel Energy’s statewide outage map for real-time updates on affected customer numbers and estimated restoration times.
Xcel Energy recommends assembling an emergency kit with items such as battery-powered radios or flashlights, extra batteries, backup phone 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, and key contact numbers including (800) 895-1999 for residential or (800) 481-4700 for business accounts.
The utility continues investing in its electrical systems to reduce wildfire risks while working to limit the size and duration of any service interruptions. More preparedness tips can be found on its website.
Customers can report outages via several channels: through Xcel Energy’s mobile app available at 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 using automated prompts designed to streamline reporting within one minute.
According to Xcel Energy: “We are committed to leading the transition toward clean energy while keeping bills as low as possible because those we serve depend on us every day.” Headquartered in Minneapolis, Xcel Energy provides electricity and gas services across eight states including Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Texas. For further details visit xcelenergy.com or follow them on social media platforms X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
