Xcel Energy has mobilized hundreds of crew members to inspect and repair power lines after severe winds swept through the region on December 19, 2025. The company warned that extreme fire weather conditions are expected to continue until midnight and may last into early Saturday morning, with ongoing high winds potentially causing further outages.
Power restoration efforts will be influenced by both the persistent winds and the extent of damage to the electrical system. Xcel Energy anticipates that a significant number of customers will have their power restored by noon on Sunday, December 21, but some may remain without service until Monday. Customers will receive direct updates about restoration times in their areas by Saturday morning.
“The safety of crew members is paramount as they work to restore power. Xcel Energy asks customers to help keep crew members safe as they work diligently to restore power as quickly as possible,” the company stated.
The utility reminded customers that unplanned outages outside of Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) events can occur due to high wind. Residents are urged to avoid downed power lines and report any damage observed in their area.
“PSPS events reduce the risk of wildfires and protect public safety. Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other data sources to decide how to best protect the customers and communities it serves. Key factors in calling for a PSPS event include high winds, low relative humidity and dry ground conditions and all are present today,” according to Xcel Energy.
Even neighborhoods with underground power lines or no visible damage may experience outages due to how local grids connect with larger systems.
To support affected residents, Xcel Energy is collaborating with the American Red Cross and local emergency management offices to open resource centers at several locations including Carmody Middle School in Lakewood, Gilpin County School in Black Hawk, Evergreen Fire Station in Evergreen, Health and Wellness Center in Idaho Springs, and Berthoud Fire Station in Berthoud. These centers provide access to phone charging stations and home emergency supplies. The company’s REDTrucks will also be present at these sites offering additional support.
Individuals needing food assistance can find local resources using the Find Food Map for Hunger Relief Partners across Colorado.
Customers are encouraged to report outages or damage through multiple channels: via the Xcel Energy mobile app (available on Apple App Store or Google Play), online at xcelenergy.com/out, by texting OUT or STAT to 98936 for outage reporting or status updates respectively, or by calling 1-800-895-1999 using an automated system designed for quick reporting.
Further updates on outages, safety tips, preparation guidance, and restoration information can be found on Xcel Energy’s Event Update webpage.
To prepare for potential extended outages, customers should keep devices charged and assemble an emergency kit containing items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, backup chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food items, first aid kits, extension cords for partial outages, instructions for manually operating electric doors like garage doors, and relevant contact numbers. Those dependent on medical equipment requiring electricity are advised to take extra precautions during this period.
Xcel Energy continues its investment in wildfire mitigation measures since 2020. In 2024 alone it replaced over 8,300 distribution poles; inspected nearly 18,800 distribution poles; checked more than 2,800 miles of transmission lines; completed over 340 priority repairs on transmission equipment; and installed new substation protection relays—efforts aimed at reducing wildfire risks while limiting disruption duration.
Xcel Energy serves millions across eight states from its headquarters in Minneapolis—Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas—and emphasizes its commitment both to clean energy transition goals and maintaining reliable service while keeping costs manageable for consumers.
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