Xcel Energy has started restoring power after a strong wind event and a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) affected parts of Colorado’s Front Range on Wednesday. The weather system brought wind gusts exceeding 90 miles per hour and low humidity, creating conditions that increased wildfire risk. As of 8 p.m., about 120,000 outages were reported—50,000 due to the PSPS and another 68,500 from severe weather.
Restoration efforts are underway where it is safe, but Xcel Energy noted that bringing service back online could take several hours or even days. Crews must wait until severe weather and wildfire risks have subsided before inspecting lines and making repairs.
The company is preparing for another possible PSPS event on Friday, December 19, with forecasts indicating high winds and dry conditions may return as early as 5 a.m. This could affect mountain communities in addition to the Front Range. Some areas might experience outages lasting more than three days if the events overlap.
“We understand being without power for any length of time is difficult, much less for multiple times in several days,” said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy – Colorado. “We do not take these events lightly, as the safety of our customers and communities are our top priority. We want our customers to know that our crews are working as quickly as possible to safely restore power and hope our customers will give our crews grace as they work through these challenging conditions over the next few days.”
Xcel Energy uses weather data such as wind speed, humidity levels, and ground dryness to assess wildfire risk when making decisions about PSPS events.
To support those affected by outages in Jefferson County caused by the recent wind event, Xcel Energy is collaborating with the American Red Cross and local officials to open two resource centers on Thursday from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m., including one at Belmar Library in Lakewood. These centers will offer phone charging stations and information for impacted residents.
The company encourages customers to report damage or outages using its 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 their automated system at 1-800-895-1999.
Customers can check outage maps for current restoration estimates and are urged to keep their contact details updated through My Account on Xcel’s website. Updates will also be shared via social media channels Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
Xcel recommends residents prepare an emergency kit with battery-powered radios, flashlights, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid supplies, backup chargers for phones, extension cords for partial outages, instructions for manually opening powered doors like garage doors—and essential phone numbers including (800) 895-1999 for residential service issues.
Those relying on electrically powered medical equipment should make special preparations ahead of potential extended outages this week; Xcel will reach out directly to qualifying medical customers regarding Friday’s expected event.
Since launching its Wildfire Mitigation program in 2020 aimed at reducing fire risks linked to utility infrastructure failures—an issue increasingly affecting Western states—Xcel Energy has made significant upgrades in Colorado during 2024 alone: replacing over eight thousand distribution poles; inspecting nearly nineteen thousand poles; reviewing almost three thousand miles of transmission lines; completing hundreds of priority repairs on transmission equipment; and installing new substation protection relays across its network.
