Xcel Energy crews are working to restore power in northern Colorado after a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) and severe weather led to widespread outages. The PSPS was implemented Friday morning in Larimer and Weld counties as a precaution to reduce wildfire risk. A weather system with wind gusts over 65 miles per hour, combined with a Red Flag Warning from the National Weather Service, caused additional outages outside the initial impact area.
Weather conditions began improving in some areas around 4 p.m., but high winds are expected to continue into Friday evening, potentially causing more outages. Xcel Energy has deployed hundreds of crew members and contractors who are inspecting lines, making repairs, and restoring power where it is safe. Crews are scheduled for extended 16-hour shifts overnight into Saturday, and work will continue until all power is restored as long as conditions remain safe.
Most customers are expected to have service restored by Friday night, though some may experience outages into Saturday due to the need for visual inspections before repairs can be made. Xcel Energy emphasized the importance of safety for both workers and the public, asking customers to give crews space while they work.
The company noted that “the anticipated high winds arrived later than forecasted,” with PSPS criteria being met between noon and 1 p.m. in most affected areas. According to Xcel Energy, decisions about enacting PSPS events rely on current weather data and established safety thresholds: “The decision to enact a Public Safety Power Shutoff Friday was grounded in the best available data and complied with established safety thresholds.”
Customers are encouraged to report outages or damage through several channels: 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 updates on this event and tips on staying safe during severe weather, customers can visit the Xcel Energy Event Update webpage or follow updates on Facebook and X. The company also advises that those living near underground lines or without visible local damage may still experience outages depending on how their neighborhood connects to the grid.
Xcel Energy states that PSPS events help reduce wildfire risk: “PSPS events reduce the risk of wildfires and protect public safety.” The company uses multiple data sources including forecasts for wind speed, humidity levels, and ground conditions when making such decisions.
Since starting its Wildfire Mitigation efforts in 2020, Xcel Energy reports investments in system improvements such as replacing over 8,000 distribution poles in 2024 alone, inspecting nearly 19,000 distribution poles and almost 3,000 miles of transmission lines, completing hundreds of priority repairs on transmission equipment, and installing new substation protection relays.
Headquartered in Minneapolis, Xcel Energy provides electricity and gas across eight states including Colorado. More information is available at xcelenergy.com or via their social media channels.
