Xcel Energy is closely monitoring and preparing for potentially severe wildfire weather conditions expected to begin Friday, January 16, in limited areas of Larimer and Weld counties in northern Colorado. The affected area includes parts of Fort Collins and nearby communities to the north and west. Persistent dry weather in the region, combined with strong winds and low humidity, may create a critical environment for wildfires.
The company is evaluating its wildfire mitigation actions, which could include Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS), and will provide updates to the community and customers later today. Xcel Energy stated that some customers may experience power outages due to wind conditions. Restoration crews will work to restore electricity as soon as it is safe to do so.
“The highest priority for Xcel Energy is protecting customers and communities, and we are committed to taking necessary steps while communicating quickly and clearly with customers about changing weather conditions,” the company said.
A Public Safety Power Shutoff is being considered for Friday, January 16, along with enhanced safety settings on power lines. These measures are designed to reduce wildfire risk when fire danger is extremely high and other methods are not sufficient. Customers who may be affected by a PSPS will receive notifications from Xcel Energy if this action becomes necessary.
Currently, the company is assessing whether a PSPS will be needed for a limited number of customers in Larimer and Weld counties, including parts of Fort Collins and nearby northern and western communities starting at approximately 7 a.m. on Friday. If implemented, Xcel Energy expects fewer customers would be impacted compared to similar events in December 2025 in Denver and Boulder areas.
Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) allow lines to remain in service during elevated fire risk periods but with additional protective configurations activated. In contrast, during a PSPS event, electricity is proactively shut off for safety reasons—a measure the company says it does not take lightly.
“Due to the high risk of wildfires, Xcel Energy expects to activate Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS),” according to the statement.
These adjustments do not mean that power has been proactively disconnected from a customer; if an outage occurs while these settings are active, it results from an issue on the line. Electricity will remain off until crews can visually inspect lines for safety before restoring service—potentially leading to longer outages if they occur.
The company thanked customers for their patience as it continues efforts to reduce wildfire risks and keep communities safe. Customers are encouraged to make plans now for possible outages later this week due to severe weather conditions.
To stay informed about developments related to this weather event or potential outages, Xcel Energy recommends customers keep their account information up-to-date via My Account on its website. Outage status can also be checked using the statewide outage map at xcelenergy.com/out.
Customers are advised to prepare emergency kits with items such as battery-powered radios, flashlights, spare batteries, backup phone chargers, bottled water, non-perishable food items, manual can openers, first aid kits, extension cords for partial outages, manufacturer instructions for manually opening electric doors (such as garage doors), and important contact numbers—including 1-800-895-1999 for residents or 1-800-481-4700 for businesses.
Those who rely on medical equipment powered by electricity should arrange backup power supplies in advance; Xcel Energy will directly contact qualifying medical customers regarding severe weather forecasts and possible impacts.
The utility continues investing in its electrical systems across eight states—including Colorado—to reduce wildfire risks while limiting the size and duration of any outages that may occur. Additional tips on outage preparedness can be found at xcelenergy.com.
Outages can be reported through multiple channels: via the mobile app available from Apple’s App Store or Google Play; online at xcelenergy.com/out; by texting OUT or STAT to 98936; or by calling 1-800-895-1999.
###
“Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other data sources to help us determine the best course of action to protect public safety. Strong winds, low relative humidity levels and dry fuel conditions on the ground are key factors in our risk models,” according to the company statement.
###
