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 extreme wildfire risk. The decision comes as high winds with gusts reaching up to 91 miles per hour move through Colorado.
The company is also preparing for another potential PSPS event on Friday, December 19. Forecasts indicate that similar weather conditions—high winds, dry ground, and low humidity—could affect mountain communities and the Front Range as early as 5 a.m. Some areas impacted by today’s severe weather may experience power outages lasting more than three days if Friday’s storm overlaps with current disruptions.
Xcel Energy relies on weather forecasts and various data sources to determine when to implement safety measures like PSPS. The primary factors considered include wind speed, humidity levels, and soil dryness.
To support affected residents in Jefferson County, Xcel Energy is partnering with the American Red Cross and local officials to open two resource centers. These centers will be available at Evergreen Library (5000 County Hwy 73) in Evergreen and Belmar Library (555 S. Allison Parkway) in Lakewood from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. today and tomorrow. The resource centers offer phone charging stations and information from Xcel Energy representatives.
Hundreds of Xcel Energy crew members and contractors are stationed along the Front Range to restore power after the PSPS or any other outages caused by high winds. Restoration efforts may take several hours or even days because crews must inspect entire power lines before service can safely resume.
“Xcel Energy recognizes a significant number of customers are likely to experience an outage, and that such events are highly disruptive,” the company stated. “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 if their address may be subject to a PSPS event online at xcelenergy.com/out.
Outages not directly related to the PSPS could still occur due to severe wind conditions across Colorado. This may affect how quickly power can be restored in some areas.
Customers are encouraged to report outages or damage via several methods: using the Xcel Energy mobile app available on Apple App Store or Google Play; online at xcelenergy.com/out; texting OUT or STAT to 98936; or calling 1-800-895-1999 for automated reporting.
Event updates, safety tips, outage maps with estimated restoration times, and other resources are available on Xcel Energy’s Event Update webpage. Customers should ensure their contact details are current in My Account settings on the website for timely notifications.
For preparedness during outages, customers should keep devices charged and assemble emergency kits with items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, bottled water, non-perishable food items, backup chargers, first aid supplies, extension cords for partial outages, manual can openers, manufacturer instructions for manually opening electric doors like garage doors, non-electric alarm clocks or phones that do not require electricity.
Those who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity should take extra precautions ahead of possible extended outages this week; Xcel Energy plans additional outreach for qualifying medical customers regarding Friday’s expected event.
Since launching its Wildfire Mitigation program in 2020 aimed at reducing fire risks associated with electrical infrastructure failures—and minimizing both frequency/duration/scale/potential impacts from necessary shutoffs—the company has made improvements including replacing over eight thousand distribution poles this year alone along with extensive inspections/repairs/upgrades across its network.
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