Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage

As a resident who has no ability to choose an alternative electricity provider, I rely entirely on the PUC to ensure that Xcel delivers reliable, and responsibly managed electric service. What occurred during this December 2025 PSPS event was unacceptable by any reasonable standard, and I expect the PUC to provide clear answers and accountability.

My power was shut off before Xcel said it would be and hours before any significant wind activity began, and it took hours after conditions improved for power to return. This raises serious questions about the criteria, planning, and operational execution behind this PSPS. How is it possible that we have experienced numerous windy days—many with stronger and more sustained winds than those during this PSPS—without any interruption to service, yet this event resulted in a prolonged, multi‑day outage?

As of the time of writing, I have been without power for 55 of the past 72 hours, with Xcel projecting an additional 8 hours before restoration. I have lived in my home for 12 years and over that time period I have rarely seen outages lasting longer than 30 minutes, despite many severe wind events as bad or worse than what was seen during this PSPS. The duration and scale of this outage are unprecedented, unjustifiable, and deeply disruptive. Accessing outage maps to determine when I can expect my power to be back on has been impossible via cell phone.

This failure has forced the closure of schools, businesses, and government services, affecting tens of thousands of Coloradans. The Front Range regularly experiences high winds; this is not a new or unpredictable phenomenon. Our electric infrastructure should be capable of handling these conditions without resorting to multi‑day outages that jeopardize safety, economic stability, and community well‑being. Prior to this event it seemed our infrastructure could handle it so what has changed?

Neighborhoods immediately adjacent to mine—experiencing the exact same wind event—saw little to no impact to their power. If these areas benefit from more robust grid connections or infrastructure, then I want to know what Xcel is doing to bring the same level of reliability to the communities that were disproportionately affected. Why are some neighborhoods protected while others are left vulnerable?

I am requesting that the PUC provide clear answers to the following:

• Why was power cut hours before conditions warranted it?
• Why did restoration take so long after the wind subsided?
• What steps is the PUC taking to ensure that Xcel is held accountable for the scale and duration of this outage?
• What requirements will be imposed on Xcel to reduce the impact and frequency of future PSPS events from becoming a regular occurrence on the Front Range?
• What infrastructure improvements will be mandated to ensure that all neighborhoods—not just select ones—receive reliable service during wind events?

Colorado residents deserve a power system that is resilient, and managed with competence. We should not be subjected to prolonged outages due to routine weather conditions that our region has experienced for decades. I expect the PUC to ensure that Xcel Energy is held fully accountable for its decisions and performance during this event.