Xcel Energy announced it will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) starting at 10:00 a.m. on December 17 to reduce wildfire risk in parts of Colorado. The outage is expected to affect approximately 50,000 customers across Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties. Weather conditions are forecasted to improve by around 6 p.m., but strong winds and low humidity may continue to pose wildfire risks and could result in additional outages on Friday.
Due to shifting weather forecasts, the company is assessing the possibility of another PSPS event that could impact mountain communities and the Front Range on Friday, December 19, beginning at 6:00 a.m. Some areas affected by Wednesday’s severe weather might remain without power for more than three days if the situation persists.
Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other data sources to guide decisions about public safety actions. Strong winds, low relative humidity, and dry ground conditions are key factors considered in their risk models.
Hundreds of Xcel Energy crew members and contractors have been positioned throughout the Front Range region to restore service after a PSPS or any additional outages caused by high winds. Customers are encouraged to report any damage seen on power lines and stay away from downed wires.
The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for the area due to anticipated strong winds and dry conditions that elevate wildfire danger.
Outages could also occur outside designated PSPS areas because of enhanced powerline safety settings or hazardous weather. Restoration efforts may be delayed since crews must inspect all lines before re-energizing them for safety reasons. Depending on circumstances, it may take hours or even days before full restoration can be completed.
“Xcel Energy recognizes that a significant number of customers are likely to experience an interruption, and that such events are highly disruptive,” according to the company’s statement. “The goal of the company is to limit the impact of a PSPS event as much as possible while effectively managing high wildfire risk and will continue communicating updates during the event, including information about outages and restorations.” Customers can check online if their address may be impacted by a PSPS event.
Customers have several options for reporting outages: using Xcel Energy’s mobile app available via Apple’s App Store or Google Play; online at xcelenergy.com/out; texting OUT or STAT to 98936; or calling 1-800-895-1999 for automated phone reporting.
Event updates, preparation tips, outage reports, and safety information during severe weather can be found on Xcel Energy’s event updates webpage.
To prepare for potential power loss, customers are advised to keep devices charged and assemble an emergency kit with non-electric items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, spare chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords (for partial outages), instructions for manually opening electric doors like garage doors, as well as important contact numbers including Xcel Energy’s customer service lines.
Customers who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity should make necessary preparations for possible prolonged outages. Xcel Energy stated it will provide targeted outreach to qualifying medical equipment users.
According to Xcel Energy: “We continually invest in expanding our systems to reduce wildfire risk and limit both the size and duration of potential power outages.”
The utility serves millions across eight states from its headquarters in Minneapolis: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico,and Texas.
