Xcel Energy is preparing for potentially extreme weather conditions and a high risk of wildfires in northern Colorado. The company announced that it may implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) on Friday, January 16, starting at 8:00 a.m., due to persistent dry conditions, low humidity, and strong winds. This action could affect approximately 9,000 customers in Larimer and Weld counties, including parts of Fort Collins and nearby communities to the north and west.
Weather forecasts suggest that conditions could improve by around 4:00 p.m. on Friday. If a PSPS or other weather-related outages occur on the network, restoration work will begin once strong winds subside and wildfire risks decrease. Hundreds of technicians are expected to be ready on Friday to inspect lines, make repairs, and restore service as soon as it is safe. Restoring power may take several hours or even days because crews must inspect all electrical lines before reactivating them.
The company is providing updates about the event along with safety tips for customers through its Event Updates web page. The next public update is scheduled for Thursday morning.
“While wind speeds will remain at the lower end of our thresholds for a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), the unusually mild start to winter has contributed to historically dry conditions that create a high risk of wildfires,” said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy—Colorado. “In case of a Public Safety Power Shutoff, we will work to limit the number affected and are preparing to ensure rapid restoration of service. We recognize that any interruption represents a hardship. As always, our teams will work as safely and quickly as possible to restore electricity in case of a PSPS or other weather-related interruptions.”
Xcel Energy will continue contacting potentially affected customers as the forecasted weather event approaches and provide updated information about outages and restoration throughout the event. Customers can check their address online to see if they might be impacted by the PSPS.
Customers are encouraged to stay informed by visiting Xcel Energy’s website for updates during this weather event. They can also view outage maps for real-time information about outages and estimated restoration times when available, keep their account details up-to-date in My Account preferences, or follow Xcel Energy on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
To prepare for potential outages, customers are advised to 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 items, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords (for partial outages), manufacturer instructions for manually opening electric doors like garage doors, alarm clocks not requiring electricity, phones not dependent on electricity supply—and important phone numbers including those for reporting outages.
Customers who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity should have backup power supplies ready; Xcel Energy plans direct outreach with qualifying medical customers.
The company states it continues investing in its electrical systems aiming both to reduce wildfire risks and limit size or duration of potential power interruptions.
Outages can be reported via multiple channels: through Xcel Energy’s mobile app (available from Apple App Store or Google Play), online at xcelenergy.com/outage-and-emergency-checklist/, by texting OUT or STAT to 98936 for status updates—or calling 1-800-895-1999 using automated prompts designed so reports take less than one minute.
Xcel Energy serves millions across eight states from its headquarters in Minneapolis—Minnesota; Colorado; Wisconsin; Michigan; North Dakota; South Dakota; New Mexico; Texas—and says it remains committed both to clean energy transition goals while keeping customer bills manageable.
