Xcel Energy has announced a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) beginning at 10:00 a.m. on December 17, 2025, in an effort to reduce wildfire risk. The planned outage will impact approximately 50,000 customers across Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties. Weather conditions are expected to improve around 6 p.m., but strong winds and low humidity could continue to pose wildfire risks and cause further outages on Friday.
The company is monitoring changing weather forecasts and may implement another PSPS event affecting mountain communities and the Front Range starting at 6:00 a.m. on December 19. Some areas affected by severe weather could remain without power for more than three days if the storm impacts overlap.
Xcel Energy relies on weather forecasts and data sources to determine safety measures. Key factors include high winds, low relative humidity, and dry soil conditions. Hundreds of Xcel Energy crews and contractors are stationed along the Front Range to restore service following a PSPS or other wind-related outages.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning due to anticipated strong winds and dry conditions that increase wildfire danger.
Outages may also occur outside designated PSPS areas because of wind or the activation of Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), which can affect restoration times. Restoration efforts require crews to patrol entire power lines before service can be safely restored, potentially resulting in delays of several hours or days.
“Xcel Energy recognizes that it is likely a significant number of customers will experience an interruption, 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 the high wildfire risk and will continue communicating updates throughout the event, including information about outages and restorations.” Customers can check their address online to see if they may be affected by a PSPS event.
Customers are encouraged to report outages or damage to power lines using various methods: through Xcel Energy’s mobile app available on Apple’s App Store or Google Play; online at xcelenergy.com/out; by texting OUT or STAT to 98936; or by calling 1-800-895-1999 for automated phone reporting.
Event updates, preparation tips, outage reporting options, and safety information during severe weather are available on Xcel Energy’s event update webpage.
To prepare for potential outages, customers should keep devices charged and assemble an emergency kit with items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, spare batteries and chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords for partial outages, instructions for manually opening electric doors like garage doors, and important contact numbers including Xcel Energy’s residential (800-895-1999) and business (800-481-4700) hotlines.
Customers who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity are advised to take necessary precautions for possible extended outages. Xcel Energy will conduct additional outreach to those with qualifying medical equipment needs.
The company says it continues investing in system improvements aimed at reducing wildfire risks and minimizing the scope and duration of future outages.
“Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider dedicated to serving millions of customers with excellence,” according to its statement. “We make energy work better for customers—helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar—delivering better service while providing more reliable, resilient and sustainable energy.”
“We are committed to leading the clean energy transition—meeting our customers’ need for cleaner energy while keeping bills as low as possible,” Xcel Energy added. “This commitment comes from knowing that people depend on us to power their lives.”
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Xcel Energy serves electricity and gas customers in eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. More information is available at xcelenergy.com or via social media channels Facebook and X.
