Stop These Power Shut Offs

Dear Public Officials,

I am writing as a Boulder resident to urge you to take immediate action to protect our community from the growing and dangerous impacts of Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). I live in the Holiday Neighborhood, a relatively new part of Boulder where most power lines are underground. Despite this, our neighborhood is consistently included in PSPS events, creating unreasonable and unnecessary hardship for residents. We experienced power outages lasting 24 hours on April 6, 2024; 27 hours on December 17, 2025; and 33 hours on December 19, 2025. During each outage, I was forced to throw away $200–$300 worth of spoiled groceries. I could not cook or heat my home, and I lost reliable cell service. Without cell service, I was unable to receive emergency alerts or safety texts, and I could not communicate with family or emergency services. This alone represents a serious public safety failure.

Beyond individual households, these outages had severe impacts on the broader community. Many of Boulder’s traffic lights were not functioning and effectively became four-way stops, making driving throughout the city dangerous. Traffic backed up significantly on Jay Road, Iris Avenue, and Highway 119. Highway 36 between Boulder and Lyons was closed, further limiting evacuation routes. In the event of a wildfire or other emergency requiring evacuation, these conditions could be catastrophic. Residents could be trapped in gridlocked traffic, unable to leave Boulder in a safe or timely manner. At present, Xcel Energy appears to be unilaterally determining conditions that directly affect Boulder’s emergency response and public safety. A private utility company should not be making decisions of this magnitude without stronger public oversight and accountability.

Colorado is a high-wind state and high-wind events are quite common in our state. Xcel Energy should be required to invest in long-term infrastructure solutions, including burying power lines, rather than relying on repeated, prolonged shutoffs that shift risk onto residents. Whenever my power is shut off, my household is thrown into survival mode. As a teacher in our community, I can’t be expected to serve my community in the classroom when I can’t even take care of the basic needs of my family and myself because Xcel Energy has shut off my power for 24 or more hours. Additionally, residents should be compensated for documented losses such as spoiled food, meds, and other essential expenses caused by these outages. The current situation places a disproportionate burden on citizens while absolving the utility of responsibility.

I respectfully ask that you:

• Advocate for stronger oversight of Xcel Energy’s PSPS decisions
• Require infrastructure improvements that reduce or eliminate the need for PSPS
• Protect Boulder neighborhoods with underground power lines from unnecessary shutoffs
• Ensure compensation for residents who incur financial losses
• Prioritize public safety and emergency readiness over utility convenience

These outages are not merely inconvenient—they are dangerous. I urge you to take action to ensure that Boulder’s safety, mobility, and emergency preparedness are not compromised by unilateral utility decisions by Xcel Energy. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I appreciate your leadership and commitment to the safety of our community.

Sincerely,

A.P.

North Boulder Resident