Public Safety Power Shutoff

Share Public Safety Power Shutoff on Facebook Share Public Safety Power Shutoff on Twitter Share Public Safety Power Shutoff on Linkedin Email Public Safety Power Shutoff link
Power outage graphic

Xcel is planning a potential PSPS for parts of Larimer and Weld on Friday January 14, 2026.

On December 17, 2025 Xcel Energy implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) impacting around 52,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. Again on December 19, 2025 Xcel Energy implemented a second PSPS event that impacted approximately 69,000 customers in those same counties. Total outages across these days were higher due to damage from this storm and other protective measures implemented by Xcel.

PSPS events are implemented in order to reduce the risk of a wildfire caused by power lines or other utility infrastructure. The Public Utilities Commission does not approve or deny Xcel’s use of proactive shutoffs however, the Agency does have an important role in ensuring that the communication, preparation and coordination of PSPS events is protective of customers.

The PUC is creating a new set of rules establishing permanent requirements and standards for public safety power shutoffs. Staff is currently working to draft these rules and welcomes input from Xcel customers on their experiences with the most recent PSPS events. This information will help ensure that the PUC’s rules are comprehensive.

Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback through the survey or comment links below.

Xcel is planning a potential PSPS for parts of Larimer and Weld on Friday January 14, 2026.

On December 17, 2025 Xcel Energy implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) impacting around 52,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. Again on December 19, 2025 Xcel Energy implemented a second PSPS event that impacted approximately 69,000 customers in those same counties. Total outages across these days were higher due to damage from this storm and other protective measures implemented by Xcel.

PSPS events are implemented in order to reduce the risk of a wildfire caused by power lines or other utility infrastructure. The Public Utilities Commission does not approve or deny Xcel’s use of proactive shutoffs however, the Agency does have an important role in ensuring that the communication, preparation and coordination of PSPS events is protective of customers.

The PUC is creating a new set of rules establishing permanent requirements and standards for public safety power shutoffs. Staff is currently working to draft these rules and welcomes input from Xcel customers on their experiences with the most recent PSPS events. This information will help ensure that the PUC’s rules are comprehensive.

Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback through the survey or comment links below.

Share Your Experience

Have feedback for the PUC about a recent Public Safety Power Shutoff? Feel free to share here.
Please note: This info will be public for other users to see. 

Thank you for sharing your story with us.

You need to be signed in to share your story.

All fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required.

Cancel
  • Share 19th Century infrastructure on Facebook Share 19th Century infrastructure on Twitter Share 19th Century infrastructure on Linkedin Email 19th Century infrastructure link

    19th Century infrastructure

    by BeyondFrustrated, 8 days ago

    Why are we being serviced by 19th century infrastructure in the 21st century?

    Xcel has spent at least 5 years replacing an antiquated power delivery system on the lookout mountain area instead of bringing it up to today’s Standards. They spent millions replacing poles and cross ties in this area, and then turned right around and replaced those same poles again because someone had mistakenly specified an incorrect preservative treatment, all at the customer’s expense.

    After all of which they still proceeded to just flip the switch, even though the winds were never nearly as strong as we’ve experienced previously... Continue reading

  • Share Xcel restored our power PREMATURELY on December 20, 2025 on Facebook Share Xcel restored our power PREMATURELY on December 20, 2025 on Twitter Share Xcel restored our power PREMATURELY on December 20, 2025 on Linkedin Email Xcel restored our power PREMATURELY on December 20, 2025 link

    Xcel restored our power PREMATURELY on December 20, 2025

    by RealPDF, 8 days ago
    We lost our power as scheduled by Xcel on the morning of December 19, 2025. There are NO COMPLAINTS from us about this safety measure.

    However, our power was restored during the afternoon of the next day (December 20) while there were still extremely high winds in the Gunbarrel area.

    In our opinion, the power restoration in our area was PREMATURE and left us at high risk of wildfire because the power lines near our house are still mounted on wood poles.

    We have the distinct impression that Xcel staff did not know what they were doing that day. We... Continue reading

  • Share Transportation safety impacts on Facebook Share Transportation safety impacts on Twitter Share Transportation safety impacts on Linkedin Email Transportation safety impacts link

    Transportation safety impacts

    by Wit, 8 days ago

    Introduction
    I appreciate Xcel Energy’s efforts to improve system reliability; however, it is critical to recognize that Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are primarily a liability mitigation strategy—not a comprehensive public safety solution. While the Superior fire was a tragic event, historical data over the past 50+ years shows that such fires are extremely rare when proper maintenance of power distribution infrastructure is performed. The probability of another Superior-type fire remains very low under standard maintenance practices. The December 17 PSPS also started at 5AM, but it didn’t really get high wind gusts in Lakewood until the afternoon. The PSPS... Continue reading

  • Share I would vote a resounding yes for a publicly owned energy company on Facebook Share I would vote a resounding yes for a publicly owned energy company on Twitter Share I would vote a resounding yes for a publicly owned energy company on Linkedin Email I would vote a resounding yes for a publicly owned energy company link

    I would vote a resounding yes for a publicly owned energy company

    by ktdora, 9 days ago

    I live in Evergreen. Our power lines are underground. Whenever my electric (along with 6 others neighbors) goes out my neighbors' 4 houses up the street from me have power. For some reason we are on a different grid? In November our electric was turned off due to Xcel update/repairs. Obviously, these repairs and updates did not factor into our electric being shut off in December.

    December rolls around and the following:

    We are advised of a potential power outage.

    Dec 17 - power turned off for a few hours and then comes back on.

    Dec 18- late MORNING power... Continue reading

  • Share No cell service for emergencies without power on Facebook Share No cell service for emergencies without power on Twitter Share No cell service for emergencies without power on Linkedin Email No cell service for emergencies without power link

    No cell service for emergencies without power

    by Michael Drewek, 9 days ago

    We live on Lookout Mountain and have absolutely no cell coverage without Internet calling. Without power we have no way of receiving emergency messages about fires or evacuations. We also cannot call for an ambulance or the fire department if needed.

  • Share "Schedules" Power outages in Boulder on Facebook Share "Schedules" Power outages in Boulder on Twitter Share "Schedules" Power outages in Boulder on Linkedin Email "Schedules" Power outages in Boulder link

    "Schedules" Power outages in Boulder

    by EllenC, 10 days ago
    Greetings,


    These "scheduled" power outages in Boulder are not done very well. On the map, my neighborhood was not listed to be out of power. However, we did not have power for 26+ hours. The "updates" we received from excel were: late, not correct in timing. not very informative (ie, said our power would be restored in a few hours, then less than 5 minutes later, said the power will be restored, but not time given, said they could not give an estimate of time, no reasons). Since the first "shut off power to save from litigation" we have lost... Continue reading

  • Share Preventive Electrical Outage, Dec. 2025 on Facebook Share Preventive Electrical Outage, Dec. 2025 on Twitter Share Preventive Electrical Outage, Dec. 2025 on Linkedin Email Preventive Electrical Outage, Dec. 2025 link

    Preventive Electrical Outage, Dec. 2025

    by Pat and Jack, 10 days ago
    To Whom It May Concern,

    First of all, for the past 56 years in our home in the foothills of Jeffco, we have always appreciated the services from IREA/now CORE. I don't think we have ever had a serious complaint. And, even now we understand the need for the outage in December of 2025 because of the high winds and we still appreciate the fact that they were preemptive. Our feedback is that we needed more on-going information. We received the initial email about the coming outage but once it happened we had no idea how long it was going... Continue reading

  • Share Community Statement from Jack’s Bar & Grill on Facebook Share Community Statement from Jack’s Bar & Grill on Twitter Share Community Statement from Jack’s Bar & Grill on Linkedin Email Community Statement from Jack’s Bar & Grill link

    Community Statement from Jack’s Bar & Grill

    by Athan, 10 days ago


    Jack’s Bar and Grill is a family-owned restaurant that has proudly served northwest Arvada for the past 15 years. We are deeply rooted in this community and committed to being a social-enterprise business — hiring and training individuals with developmental disabilities to work in kitchens throughout the Denver Metro area. Our mission has always been about more than food; it’s about opportunity, dignity, and community.

    Like many restaurants, the past five years have brought significant challenges. In December, we faced an unexpected and devastating hardship when Xcel Energy shut off electricity to our restaurant and surrounding neighborhood.

    Because of the... Continue reading

  • Share PSPS Impacts Causing Economic Harm and Forcing Unsustainable Resiliency Costs on Small Businesses on Facebook Share PSPS Impacts Causing Economic Harm and Forcing Unsustainable Resiliency Costs on Small Businesses on Twitter Share PSPS Impacts Causing Economic Harm and Forcing Unsustainable Resiliency Costs on Small Businesses on Linkedin Email PSPS Impacts Causing Economic Harm and Forcing Unsustainable Resiliency Costs on Small Businesses link

    PSPS Impacts Causing Economic Harm and Forcing Unsustainable Resiliency Costs on Small Businesses

    by SGanter, 10 days ago


    To the Colorado Public Utilities Commission,

    My name is Susan Ganter, and I am writing on behalf of The Golden Mill, a food hall and social gathering place located in Golden, Colorado. I am submitting this letter as a public comment regarding the real-world impacts of Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) on small businesses, and the difficult and costly decisions we are now being forced to consider as a result.

    In December 2025, our business experienced an extended power outage. While this outage did not occur during our peak summer season, it resulted in significant and measurable harm. We lost... Continue reading

  • Share SHUT OFF AREAS TOO BROAD and EXCESSIVE SHUT OFF TIMES on Facebook Share SHUT OFF AREAS TOO BROAD and EXCESSIVE SHUT OFF TIMES on Twitter Share SHUT OFF AREAS TOO BROAD and EXCESSIVE SHUT OFF TIMES on Linkedin Email SHUT OFF AREAS TOO BROAD and EXCESSIVE SHUT OFF TIMES link

    SHUT OFF AREAS TOO BROAD and EXCESSIVE SHUT OFF TIMES

    by DNPD, 10 days ago
    My subdivision, Red Fox Hills, was surrounded by neighborhoods that all had power. This indicates that we are not in a high risk area and is unfortunately consistent with previous shut offs. We are apparently serviced by feeder lines along 63rd St. in the Gunbarrel area. Those line should be buried. Xcel had billions in profit last year and is now asking for a rate increase for infrastructure updates. Spare me! Their notices are inconsistent, maps are wrong, they don't seem to know when we do or do not have power and shut off times are excessive.

    I unloaded a... Continue reading

Page last updated: 30 Jan 2026, 04:52 PM