Xcel Energy has initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) affecting about 50,000 customers across Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties due to extreme wildfire risk. The measure comes as strong winds reaching up to 91 miles per hour have swept through Colorado.
The company also expects another PSPS event on Friday, December 19. Forecasts predict more high winds, dry ground conditions, and low relative humidity that could impact mountain communities and the Front Range starting at 5:00 a.m. Some areas may experience outages lasting more than three days if severe weather overlaps with current disruptions.
Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other data sources to guide decisions aimed at protecting public safety. Key risk factors include high winds, low humidity, and dry soil conditions.
To support affected residents in Jefferson County during the outages caused by severe wind events, Xcel Energy is working with the American Red Cross and county officials to open two resource centers. These centers are available today and tomorrow from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., providing phone charging stations and information from Xcel Energy staff. The locations are Evergreen Library at 5000 County Hwy 73 in Evergreen and Belmar Library at 555 S. Allison Parkway in Lakewood.
Hundreds of Xcel Energy team members and contractors are positioned along the Front Range ready to restore power after PSPS events or other wind-related outages. Customers are advised to report any visible damage to power lines but should avoid downed wires for safety reasons.
According to Xcel Energy: “We recognize that a significant number of customers will likely experience an outage, and these events are highly disruptive. Our goal is to limit the impact of a PSPS event as much as possible while effectively managing the high wildfire risk.” The company will continue providing updates throughout the event on outages and restoration progress.
Customers can check if their address is included in a potential PSPS using online tools provided by Xcel Energy. Outages or damages can be reported through several methods: via Xcel’s mobile app available on 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 automated reporting in under one minute.
Updated information about ongoing events—including tips for preparation and safety—can be found on Xcel Energy’s website.
To prepare for possible extended outages—especially those who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity—customers are encouraged to keep devices charged, assemble emergency kits with battery-powered radios, flashlights, backup chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords for partial outages, manufacturer instructions for opening electric doors manually (such as garage doors), and key contact numbers including (800) 895-1999 for residential customers or (800) 481-4700 for businesses.
Xcel Energy notes it invests continually in its systems to reduce wildfire risks and minimize both the extent and duration of power interruptions. Since launching its wildfire mitigation program in 2020—including actions such as replacing over eight thousand distribution poles in 2024—the company has upgraded infrastructure across its service areas.
“Xcel Energy is committed to leading the transition toward clean energy while keeping bills as low as possible,” according to company statements about their broader mission serving millions of customers across eight states from their headquarters in Minneapolis.
