Xcel Energy is preparing for a possible Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) that could take place on December 17 to reduce wildfire risk and protect communities. The company is monitoring weather forecasts, which predict strong winds and drought conditions in the Front Range area. The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning due to these weather conditions.
The planned power shutoff could begin around 10:00 a.m., affecting approximately 50,000 customers across Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties. Xcel Energy stated that updated risk assessments and recent upgrades to its grid infrastructure have allowed it to limit the size of the affected areas. The start time for the PSPS was moved earlier from noon to 10:00 a.m. because of changing weather conditions.
Weather conditions are expected to improve by Wednesday evening, but strong winds may continue through Friday, increasing wildfire risks and the possibility of additional outages outside the planned PSPS zones. Restoration work will begin once high winds subside and fire danger decreases. Xcel Energy noted that restoring service may take several hours or even days since crews must inspect power lines before re-energizing them.
Xcel Energy emphasized its goal is “to minimize the impact of a scheduled power outage event (PSPS) as much as possible while effectively managing the high risk of wildfires.” The company will provide further updates about the PSPS tomorrow morning and throughout the event. Customers can find updates, safety tips, outage reporting options, and information on how to stay informed during adverse weather on Xcel Energy’s events update webpage.
The utility will continue contacting potentially affected customers as the weather event approaches and will offer ongoing updates about outages and restoration efforts. Customers can check their address online to see if they might be impacted by a preventive outage.
Xcel Energy recommends customers prepare for potential outages by keeping devices charged and assembling an emergency kit with items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, batteries, portable phone chargers, manual can openers, bottled water, non-perishable food, first aid kits, extension cords for partial outages, instructions for manually opening electric doors like garage doors, and important phone numbers including those for Xcel Energy’s residential (800-895-1999) and business (800-481-4700) lines.
Customers who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity are urged to make necessary preparations for possible extended outages. Xcel Energy said it would conduct additional outreach targeted at qualifying medical needs customers.
The company continues investing in its systems to reduce wildfire risks and limit both the size and duration of potential power interruptions.
Customers can report outages via Xcel Energy’s 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 checks respectively, or by calling 1-800-895-1999.
Xcel Energy serves millions of customers across eight states—Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico, and Texas—and is headquartered in Minneapolis. More information is available at xcelenergy.com or through their social media channels on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.
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