Xcel Energy has initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) affecting about 50,000 customers across Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties due to extreme wildfire risk. Strong winds have been reported in Colorado, with gusts reaching up to 91 miles per hour.
The company anticipates another PSPS event on Friday, December 19, citing expected strong winds, dry conditions, and low relative humidity. This upcoming event may impact mountain communities as well as the Front Range area beginning at 5:00 a.m. Some areas could be without power for more than three days if severe weather overlaps with current outages.
Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other resources to guide decisions aimed at public safety. The combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry ground are key factors in their risk models.
In response to the outages caused by severe wind events today, Xcel Energy is collaborating with the American Red Cross and Jefferson County to open resource centers for affected customers. Two centers in Jefferson County will operate today and tomorrow from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., offering phone charging stations and information from Xcel Energy staff:
– Evergreen Library – 5000 County Hwy 73, Evergreen
– Belmar Library – 555 S. Allison Parkway, Lakewood
Hundreds of Xcel Energy team members and contractors are positioned along the Front Range to restore electric service following the PSPS and other wind-related outages. Customers are advised to give crews adequate space for safe restoration work and report any visible damage to power lines while staying away from downed wires.
The company acknowledges that a significant number of customers are likely to experience outages that may be highly disruptive. “The goal of the company is to limit the impact of a PSPS event as much as possible while effectively managing the high risk of wildfires,” according to Xcel Energy. “We will continue communicating updates throughout the event, including information on outages and restoration.” Customers can check their address online for potential inclusion in a PSPS event.
Customers have several options for reporting outages or damages:
– Through Xcel Energy’s mobile app (available via Apple App Store or Google Play)
– Online at xcelenergy.com/out
– By texting OUT or STAT to 98936
– By calling 1-800-895-1999
Updated information about ongoing events is available on Xcel Energy’s website.
Xcel Energy encourages all customers to stay informed through its website outage map and social media channels on Facebook and X. Account holders should keep their contact details updated in My Account.
To prepare for potential power loss, customers are advised to keep devices charged and assemble an emergency kit with items such as battery-powered radios and flashlights, extra batteries, backup phone chargers, non-electric phones or alarm clocks, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords for partial outages, instructions for manually opening electric doors like garages, and important phone numbers including those for residential (800-895-1999) or business (800-481-4700) support.
Customers who rely on medical equipment requiring electricity are urged to take steps now in preparation for prolonged outages that may extend into Friday. “Xcel Energy will conduct additional communications with medically qualified customers regarding Friday’s event,” according to the company.
Since starting its wildfire mitigation program in 2020,Xcel Energy has invested in system upgrades such as replacing thousands of distribution poles each year—including over 8,300 in 2024—inspecting nearly 19,000 poles annually,and reviewing hundreds of miles of transmission lines along with installing new protective relays at substations.
“Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider dedicated to serving millions of customers with excellence,” said the company. “We are committed to leading the clean energy transition while keeping bills as low as possible because people depend on us.”
Headquartered in Minneapolis,the company serves eight states, including Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan,North Dakota, South Dakota,New Mexico, and Texas.
