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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.
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.
Share Communications weren't great - else everyone should stop complaining on FacebookShare Communications weren't great - else everyone should stop complaining on TwitterShare Communications weren't great - else everyone should stop complaining on LinkedinEmail Communications weren't great - else everyone should stop complaining link
What went wrong - confusing notifications about when and where the shutoffs would start/end
What went ok - having lived in Evergreen for 38 years, we are used to power outages, up to one week long. We have a 2 kw and 5kw generator that we can use to run fridge and even TV. We store plenty of water ahead of storms (we are on well), and make sure we have food that we need. We have a gas stove and fireplace. So are outages inconvenient? Yes. Are they part of living in the mountains? Yes. So if folks can't... Continue reading
Share Xcel Missed the mark on FacebookShare Xcel Missed the mark on TwitterShare Xcel Missed the mark on LinkedinEmail Xcel Missed the mark link
For a public utility that has amassed billions in profit over the past five years, Xcel is more concerned with making profit for its shareholders than improving what quite frankly should be our infrastructure. Public utilities should not be publicly traded commodities. I had over a hundred thousand dollars worth of medicine in my refrigerator to treat my illness, but I had no means to get ice for my cooler. Xcel’s communication was at best poor. While it was plentiful, the information provided was often inaccurate and outright wrong. They need to do better.
Share 4 Day "Planned" Outage, Questionable Fire Risk Reduction on FacebookShare 4 Day "Planned" Outage, Questionable Fire Risk Reduction on TwitterShare 4 Day "Planned" Outage, Questionable Fire Risk Reduction on LinkedinEmail 4 Day "Planned" Outage, Questionable Fire Risk Reduction link
My wife and I live in Morrison, and were without power from Wednesday morning through Saturday evening.
Because my wife is pregnant and could not safely be without heat, we were forced to stay in a hotel the first night of the outage. We were fortunate to find and purchase a generator the following day, but despite that, we still lost most of the food in our refrigerator.
While I understand and support the goal of reducing wildfire risk during extreme wind events, I am concerned that this approach may be creating new risks while shifting the burden almost entirely... Continue reading
Share Alarmingly disorganized on FacebookShare Alarmingly disorganized on TwitterShare Alarmingly disorganized on LinkedinEmail Alarmingly disorganized link
We just got our power back after 5 days. The information shared by the power company was disorganized at best, as I count 31 texts from them and most were inaccurate. Since we had no power, no data service from Verizon, and no wifi access, we were completely cut off. These texts could only be accessed after a 30 minute drive from our home to an area that did have data service.
Equally unhelpful were the maps. They were incorrect and remained almost exactly the same for the duration of the five days! We were left to our own initiative... Continue reading
Share Thankful for the preventive measures being taken by Xcel on FacebookShare Thankful for the preventive measures being taken by Xcel on TwitterShare Thankful for the preventive measures being taken by Xcel on LinkedinEmail Thankful for the preventive measures being taken by Xcel link
I want to thank Xcel for taking safety measures to avoid a catastrophic fire in the foothills of Colorado. Although power outages are frustrating I would much rather deal with it than a fire. I know Xcel is receiving a lot of backlash right now, but you cant' hold them accountable for the Marshall fire and then blame them for trying to prevent another. I was contacted via text, email and phone to warn of the upcoming outage, so I had time to prepare. Maybe they could send out suggestions as to how to do that? Some update messages were... Continue reading
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This idea of public safety shut off is frustrating and borders on neglect. So many people work from home now, and turning off the power to protect Xcel liability is like stealing from these people. The Friday 12-19 shutoff had no weather event to back it up. I had breezy conditions with gusts less than 15 miles and hour. I believe Xcel is doing this to prime the public for major infrastructure bonds. They have neglected the infrastructure in lieu of CEO bonuses and "green" energy. Wish Xcel did not have a monopoly on electricity in CO.
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We lost our power for three days straight, and we live within the city limits of Boulder. I understand that we want to mitigate a wildfire and I am very appreciative that there were no wildfires however it has been four years since the Marshall fire and Xcel energy has invested nothing back into our community to prepare for the inevitable wins that come to Boulder. Their communication was erratic at best and extremely unhelpful. We were given completely inaccurate information about when power would be restored. I lost over $1000 in food which I could’ve preserved if given more... Continue reading
Share Xcel power preemptive power outages unsustainable on FacebookShare Xcel power preemptive power outages unsustainable on TwitterShare Xcel power preemptive power outages unsustainable on LinkedinEmail Xcel power preemptive power outages unsustainable link
Regarding the scheduled power outages during last week’s extreme wind events, I want to be clear that I understand the need for preemptive shutoffs when fire danger is high. Public safety must come first. However, the execution of these shutoffs and, more importantly, Xcel Energy’s communication and restoration process were unacceptable.
Xcel did provide adequate notice for the initial shutoff on Wednesday. After that point, communications deteriorated significantly. Customers received a confusing and often contradictory series of texts, emails, and phone calls that provided little clarity on restoration timelines or next steps. After Wednesday’s power was off for an extended... Continue reading
Share Fix this by fining Xcel for each outage on FacebookShare Fix this by fining Xcel for each outage on TwitterShare Fix this by fining Xcel for each outage on LinkedinEmail Fix this by fining Xcel for each outage link
The disruption to our lives was absolutely unacceptable, even for those of us who didn't lose power but were near the outage area. First, Xcel's maps changed multiple times which made a fun game of trying to figure out if you were going to have power. Then, the school district canceled school *district wide* on Wednesday when it was totally inappropriate to do so. My child's school was canceled for on Friday because we were "too close" to the projected outage boundary. I get that it was the last week before break, but pulling kids out of school is detrimental... Continue reading
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As someone who worked in Louisville and had to evacuate during the Marshall Fire, I know how important it was to shut off the power because of similar extreme wind/drought to prevent another disaster. That being said, it has been 4 years since the Marshall Fire and that has been plenty of time to reinforce or update high risk areas. With over 200 BILLION dollars in profits, why has Xcel not taken care of their customers that fund their profits and paychecks? These weather events and conditions are not going away, it is time for action! Just having power shut... Continue reading
