Xcel Energy crews are working to restore power in northern Colorado after a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) was implemented in Larimer and Weld counties on Friday morning. The company took this action to reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety as a severe weather system brought wind gusts over 65 miles per hour, leading the National Weather Service to issue a Red Flag Warning. These conditions also caused thousands of outages outside the PSPS area.
Weather began improving in some locations around 4 p.m., but high winds could continue into Friday evening, potentially causing more outages. Xcel Energy has deployed hundreds of crew members and contractors who are inspecting lines, making repairs, and restoring service when it is safe. Crews will work extended 16-hour shifts overnight into Saturday until all customers have power restored, provided conditions remain safe.
The company anticipates most customers will have power back by Friday, though restoration for some may extend into Saturday due to the need for visual inspections before repairs can be made.
Xcel Energy emphasized the importance of safety for its workers: “The safety of crew members is paramount. Xcel Energy asks customers to help keep crew members safe by giving them the space they need to do their job safely and efficiently.”
The company noted that high winds arrived later than forecasted and that PSPS criteria were met between noon and 1 p.m. in most affected areas. Xcel Energy said it continuously monitors weather changes to minimize both the scale and duration of any PSPS event.
Decisions regarding public safety shutoffs are based on current weather data and forecasts: “The decision to enact a Public Safety Power Shutoff Friday was grounded in the best available data and complied with established safety thresholds.”
Customers are encouraged to report outages or damage through several channels including the Xcel Energy mobile app, online at xcelenergy.com/out, via text message by texting OUT or STAT to 98936, or by calling 1-800-895-1999 using an automated phone system.
Updates about this weather event will be available on Xcel Energy’s website where customers can check outage maps for real-time information on restoration times. Customers should also ensure their account details are current in My Account.
Public Safety Power Shutoff events aim to lower wildfire risks during dangerous conditions such as high winds, low humidity, and dry ground—all present during this incident. Even those living near underground lines or without visible local damage may experience outages depending on how their neighborhood connects to the larger grid.
Since starting its Wildfire Mitigation program in 2020, Xcel Energy has made several improvements including replacing over eight thousand distribution poles, inspecting nearly nineteen thousand poles and almost three thousand miles of transmission lines, completing hundreds of priority equipment repairs, and installing new substation protection relays in 2024.
Xcel Energy provides electricity and gas across eight states from its headquarters in Minneapolis. More information is available at xcelenergy.com or through its social media accounts on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
