Hundreds of Xcel Energy workers are conducting inspections and repairs on power lines and poles to restore electricity to more than 80,000 customers in Colorado after strong winds caused widespread outages. The National Weather Service has lifted the red flag warning and the particularly dangerous situation designation, with wildfire risk decreasing as of 5:00 a.m. Saturday.
Adverse weather conditions led Xcel Energy to implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) event on Thursday in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties. Additional outages affected customers outside the PSPS areas due to the severe wind.
Some customers have already had their service restored. Xcel Energy expects most remaining customers will have power back by 10:00 p.m. tonight. In some cases, restoration may extend into Sunday because of significant damage and difficult locations. Crews must visually inspect lines for damage before repairs can be made.
Xcel Energy has communicated with its customers throughout the week and provided updated restoration timelines this morning using each customer’s preferred contact method. Updates will continue as estimates change and repairs progress.
“The safety of our workers is paramount as they work to restore electric service,” said Xcel Energy in a statement. “We ask customers to help ensure worker safety while we strive to restore power as quickly as possible.”
Customers are encouraged to report any damages such as downed lines or broken poles and should stay away from affected areas.
To support those impacted by outages, Xcel Energy is working with the American Red Cross and local emergency management offices to open resource centers across affected communities. These centers offer phone charging stations and other emergency supplies at locations including Georgetown Community Center, Carmody Middle School in Lakewood, Gilpin County Overnight Shelter in Black Hawk, Evergreen Fire Station, Clear Creek Health and Wellness Center in Idaho Springs, and Berthoud Fire Station.
Red Xcel Energy trucks will also be present at these centers providing support and information. For food assistance needs during this period, residents can use an online Food Finder Map to locate hunger relief partners throughout Colorado.
Customers can report outages through several channels: via the Xcel Energy 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 reporting.
Event updates and safety tips are available on the Xcel Energy Event Updates webpage. Customers are advised to keep their account information current through their My Account portal for timely notifications about outages and restoration times.
Xcel Energy emphasized that PSPS events help reduce wildfire risks during extreme weather conditions like high winds or low humidity by temporarily shutting off power where necessary based on forecasts and data analysis. Even neighborhoods with underground lines may experience shutoffs depending on how they connect to the broader grid.
The company continues investing in system improvements aimed at reducing wildfire risk since launching its Wildfire Mitigation program in 2020. Upgrades completed in 2024 include replacing over 8,300 distribution poles, inspecting nearly 19,000 poles along with more than 2,800 miles of transmission lines, completing hundreds of priority equipment repairs, and installing new protective relays at substations.
Xcel Energy serves millions of electricity and gas customers across eight states from its headquarters in Minneapolis.
“The people we serve depend on us to energize their lives,” said Xcel Energy about its commitment to reliable service while advancing clean energy initiatives.
