Xcel Energy announced on March 14 that crews are working to restore power to customers in Colorado after a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) was implemented due to severe wind and wildfire risk. The company said approximately 12,000 customers in Boulder and Jefferson Counties were affected by the shutoff, which was about 40% fewer than initially anticipated because real-time weather monitoring allowed for a more targeted response.
The PSPS was enacted as a precautionary measure to reduce wildfire risk during dangerous weather conditions. Xcel Energy reported that power has already been restored to more than 5,000 customers and expects most remaining customers will have service back by tonight, though some outages may extend into Sunday. Crews must visually inspect lines for damage before repairs can be made and power restored.
To keep customers informed, Xcel Energy communicated updates through preferred contact methods selected in My Account and provided ongoing information as restoration estimates were refined. A Community Resource Center was also set up in Boulder to assist those impacted by the outage. The company emphasized the importance of safety for both crew members and the public, asking residents to give workers space as they complete repairs.
Customers are encouraged to report any damage such as downed lines or broken poles using several available channels: the Xcel Energy mobile app, online at xcelenergy.com/out, via text message, or by calling the automated phone system. Updates on outages and safety tips are available on the company’s Event Update webpage.
Xcel Energy explained that PSPS events are part of its broader wildfire mitigation strategy, which includes investments in infrastructure improvements since 2020. In 2024 alone, these efforts included replacing over 8,300 distribution poles, inspecting nearly 19,000 poles and over 2,800 miles of transmission lines, completing hundreds of priority repairs on transmission equipment, and installing new substation protection relays.
The company stated it remains committed to providing reliable energy while leading efforts toward cleaner power generation across eight states.
