Restoration efforts are ongoing as Xcel Energy prepares for another Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) on Friday. The company announced that the upcoming PSPS is expected to affect approximately 67,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties starting as early as 5 a.m. Weather conditions are forecasted to improve by around 6 p.m. Friday evening; however, high winds that increase wildfire risk may persist into the night. Due to these conditions and the new PSPS event, some customers could experience power outages lasting more than three days.
Public Safety Power Shutoffs are used to reduce wildfire risks and protect public safety. Xcel Energy relies on weather forecasts and other data to make decisions about when to implement a PSPS. High winds, low humidity, and dry ground conditions are expected again Friday morning—similar or worse than those experienced during Wednesday’s wind event when gusts exceeded 100 miles per hour.
“We recognize the challenges our customers face when being without power for an extended period of time. We appreciate their patience as our crews work tirelessly to restore power. We appreciate their understanding of the public safety necessity of a PSPS. We are aware tomorrow’s PSPS event will impact some of the same customers involved in yesterday’s wind event. Turning off the power is not a decision we take lightly and our crews are working safely and diligently to restore power as quickly as possible,” said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy—Colorado.
More than 585 crew members began restoration work last night after roughly 120,000 customers lost power due to sustained outages from severe winds and an earlier PSPS event. As of Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m., about 26,000 customers remained without electricity. Restoration may take several days because crews must inspect lines and repair any damage before re-energizing them safely.
Xcel Energy also cautioned that unplanned outages could occur outside scheduled PSPS events due to high winds or Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings active in affected areas. Customers are advised to avoid downed power lines and report any such hazards or visible damage directly to Xcel Energy.
To support those impacted by outages, Xcel Energy is collaborating with the American Red Cross to open resource centers where affected residents can charge phones and access information:
– Evergreen Library – Open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
– Servicios de la Raza – Open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
– Belmar Library – Open Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
– Gilpin County School – Open until further notice
Xcel Energy Red Trucks will be present at these locations offering assistance.
Customers can report outages through multiple channels: via the mobile app available in both Apple App Store and Google Play; online at xcelenergy.com/out; by texting OUT or STAT to 98936; or by calling the automated phone system at 1-800-895-1999.
For ongoing updates about severe weather events affecting service—including outage maps and estimated restoration times—customers should visit Xcel Energy’s website or follow its social media accounts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter). Customers are encouraged to keep their account information updated for timely notifications.
Residents should prepare for potential outages by assembling emergency kits with items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, extra batteries, backup chargers for phones, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid supplies, extension cords for partial outages, instructions for manually opening powered doors like garage doors, and important contact numbers including those for Xcel Energy customer service lines.
Those who rely on electrically powered medical equipment should make preparations now for possible extended interruptions in service.
Since launching its Wildfire Mitigation program in 2020, Xcel Energy has made several improvements aimed at reducing wildfire risks—including replacing over eight thousand distribution poles this year alone—and continues investing in upgrades designed to limit both the size and duration of future disruptions.
For more details about energy assistance programs related to medical needs visit https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/billing-payment/energy-assistance/medical-exemption-program.
