Xcel Energy announced it will begin a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in northern Colorado starting at approximately 8 a.m. on Friday. The move is intended to reduce wildfire risk and protect public safety, affecting about 9,000 customers in Larimer and Weld counties. This decision follows a Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service, which forecasts strong winds up to 65 mph, low humidity, and very dry ground conditions.
The company noted that high winds could also damage power poles and lead to additional outages beyond those planned for the PSPS event. Customers outside the designated PSPS area may still experience outages due to severe weather or Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), which will be active throughout affected regions. Xcel Energy urged customers to report any visible damage to power lines and avoid downed lines.
Weather is expected to improve around 4 p.m., but restoration efforts will not start until winds subside and fire risks decrease. Restoration may take several hours or even days, as crews must inspect entire power lines before re-energizing them. Teams from across Colorado are set to work extended shifts through Friday night into Saturday until service is restored.
Xcel Energy acknowledged the disruption these outages cause: “The company’s goal is to limit impacts as much as possible while effectively managing high wildfire risk and will continue to communicate updates through the event, including outage and restoration information.” Customers can check their address online to determine if they are included in the PSPS area.
Customers have multiple ways to report outages: via the Xcel Energy mobile app available in the Apple 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 ongoing updates, safety tips, and outage information during severe weather events, customers can visit Xcel Energy’s Event Update webpage. The company recommends building an emergency kit with essentials such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, bottled water, non-perishable food, backup chargers, first aid supplies, and manual instructions for opening electric doors.
Customers who rely on electrically powered medical equipment are encouraged to prepare for potential extended outages. Xcel Energy stated it would conduct additional outreach for qualifying medical customers.
Xcel Energy says it continues investing in its systems “to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale, and duration of potential power disruptions.” Additional preparation tips are available on their website.
The utility serves millions of customers across eight states—Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas—and says it remains committed “to leading the clean energy transition” while keeping bills low for its customers.
