United Power Impact

United Power recently upgraded the power lines in Coal Creek Canyon, but gets it's main feed from Xcel. It seemed that our canyon was "safe" with the Hendrix lines, yet our power was cut off anyway. Lived in this house in the canyon for 20 years and have never had the power off for so long (except maybe the 2013 flood) -- thus never felt the need for a generator. We lost about $400 worth of food in the freezer and fridge and spent one night in a motel due to the intermittent power outages. Our water source is a well and we have a gas boiler/ indirect water heater. So without electricity, we have no water, heat (boiler cannot pump to the lines) and no cell service without the wifi, so we could not even be updated about the situation or possible restoration times without cell service. The planned outage seemed unnecessary for our canyon.