Xcel Energy has initiated a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) for approximately 9,000 customers in Larimer and Weld counties in northern Colorado due to heightened wildfire risk. The action follows a Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service, citing strong winds with gusts up to 70 mph, low humidity, and very dry ground conditions combined with historically low snowpack.
The company noted that high winds may damage power poles and could cause additional outages outside the PSPS area. Customers who are not part of the planned shutoff may still experience outages because of the severe weather or due to Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) currently active in affected regions. Xcel Energy is urging customers to report any visible damage to power lines and to stay clear of downed wires.
Xcel Energy relies on weather forecasts and data analysis when deciding on safety measures like PSPS events. High winds, low humidity, and dry ground are key factors considered in their risk models.
Weather is expected to improve by around 4 p.m., but restoration efforts will only begin once conditions are safe. Crews must inspect all affected power lines before re-energizing them, which means some customers may be without electricity for several hours or even days. However, Xcel Energy expects many customers will have power restored today and most by Saturday.
Crew members from across Colorado will work extended shifts through Friday night into Saturday until all service is restored. The company asks that residents give crews space to work safely during these efforts.
Outages could also occur beyond the PSPS zones due to ongoing high winds, potentially affecting restoration timelines.
In a statement regarding customer impact, Xcel Energy said: “Xcel Energy recognizes a significant number of customers are likely to experience an outage, and that such events are highly disruptive. The company’s goal is to limit the impact of a PSPS event as much as possible while effectively managing high wildfire risk.”
Customers can check if they are affected by using the address lookup tool on Xcel Energy’s website.
To report outages or damaged lines, customers can use several options: the Xcel Energy mobile app available via 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.
Updates about this event will be posted on Xcel Energy’s Event Update webpage. Customers should ensure their contact information is current in their My Account settings for timely notifications.
Xcel Energy recommends building an emergency kit including battery-powered radios, flashlights, backup chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food items, first aid kits, extension cords for partial outages, instructions for manually opening powered doors, and essential phone numbers. Those relying on medical equipment powered by electricity should take extra precautions; qualifying medical customers will receive additional outreach from the company.
The utility continues investing in its infrastructure with a focus on reducing wildfire risks and minimizing future disruptions. Additional tips for outage preparedness can be found on their website.
According to its profile information provided in the release: 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 details can be found at https://www.xcelenergy.com/.
