Xcel Energy has initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) for approximately 50,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties due to heightened wildfire risk caused by extreme winds. Wind gusts have reached up to 91 miles per hour in Colorado.
The company is also preparing for another possible PSPS event on Friday, December 19. Forecasts indicate that high winds, dry ground conditions, and low relative humidity may return at that time. This could affect both mountain communities and the Front Range as early as 5 a.m., with some areas potentially experiencing power outages lasting more than three days if Friday’s storm overlaps with current disruptions.
Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and data analysis to guide decisions aimed at protecting public safety. The main factors considered are wind speed, humidity levels, and ground dryness.
To support affected residents in Jefferson County during the outage, Xcel Energy is collaborating with the American Red Cross and local officials to open two resource centers. These centers will operate today and tomorrow from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., offering phone charging stations and information from Xcel Energy staff. The locations are Evergreen Library at 5000 County Hwy 73 in Evergreen and Belmar Library at 555 S. Allison Parkway in Lakewood.
Hundreds of Xcel Energy crew members and contractors are positioned along the Front Range to restore power following the PSPS or any other outages caused by severe weather. Restoration efforts may be delayed due to hazardous conditions; crews must inspect entire power lines before reactivating service.
The company notes that outages may also occur outside of PSPS-affected areas because of high winds. Restoration times can range from several hours to several days depending on damage assessments and ongoing weather risks.
“Xcel Energy recognizes a significant number of customers are likely to experience an outage, and that such events are highly disruptive,” according to the company statement. “The company’s goal is to limit the impact of a PSPS event 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 their address is subject to a PSPS event by visiting Xcel Energy’s website.
Residents are encouraged to report outages or damaged power lines through multiple channels: via the Xcel Energy mobile app (available on Apple App Store or Google Play), online at xcelenergy.com/out, by texting OUT or STAT to 98936 for reporting or status updates respectively, or by calling 1-800-895-1999 using an automated system designed for quick reporting.
Further updates about this weather event will be posted on Xcel Energy’s website where customers can access outage maps with estimated restoration times when available. Customers should ensure their contact details are current within their My Account profile for timely notifications.
Xcel Energy recommends all customers prepare an emergency kit containing battery-powered radios, flashlights, batteries, backup 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 such as garage doors, and relevant phone numbers for residential or business inquiries.
Those who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity should take extra precautions ahead of potential extended outages; additional outreach will be conducted for qualifying medical customers regarding Friday’s expected conditions.
Since launching its Wildfire Mitigation program in 2020—an effort designed to reduce wildfire risk—Xcel Energy reports having replaced over eight thousand distribution poles in 2024 alone while inspecting nearly nineteen thousand poles and almost three thousand miles of transmission lines during the same period. Other improvements include completing hundreds of priority repairs on transmission equipment and installing new substation protection relays.
Headquartered in Minneapolis but serving eight states including Colorado (company overview), Xcel Energy says it remains committed “to leading the clean energy transition” while striving “to keep bills as low as possible.”
For more information about services or ongoing updates during severe weather events visit xcelenergy.com or follow Xcel Energy on social media platforms such as Facebook or X (formerly Twitter).
