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The PUC regulates Black Hills Energy and Xcel Energy, which both have Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) plans that have been or could be implemented, impacting consumers. PSPS events have planned outages for customers and may also have other storm-related outages.
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 Black Hills or Xcel Energy the use of proactive shutoffs; however, the PUC 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 Black Hills and Xcel Energy 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.
Please take a few minutes to give us your feedback through the survey or comment links below.
The PUC regulates Black Hills Energy and Xcel Energy, which both have Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) plans that have been or could be implemented, impacting consumers. PSPS events have planned outages for customers and may also have other storm-related outages.
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 Black Hills or Xcel Energy the use of proactive shutoffs; however, the PUC 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 Black Hills and Xcel Energy 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.
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 Bad communication from xcel created post-surgery nightmare on FacebookShare Bad communication from xcel created post-surgery nightmare on TwitterShare Bad communication from xcel created post-surgery nightmare on LinkedinEmail Bad communication from xcel created post-surgery nightmare link
Xcel told us power would be shut off Wednesday from 10am to 6pm for the psps, but didn’t mention that it would take another day for them to check the lines and make repairs before restoring power. I had major knee surgery on Tuesday, but since I thought power would be back on before dark on Wednesday, I didn’t think I needed to get a hotel. I couldn’t believe it when they texted on Wednesday evening to explain that it would take until Thursday night to turn power back on! We lost all our food and I had to spend... Continue reading
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I live off Indiana and 72nd. I understand the need to shut down power to reduce the risk of fire. However, why was the power shut off before the wind even started to blow? I appreciated the notifications from Xcel for the power outage that started Wednesday, but the outage was supposed to last from 10A-6P. We did not get our power restored until Thursday at 3:00 PM. What was most concerning is that neighborhoods just a stone's throw away had power. For the second outage that began the morning of Friday, Dec 19th, Xcel provided NO notifications. If it... Continue reading
Share Xcel is not our friend on FacebookShare Xcel is not our friend on TwitterShare Xcel is not our friend on LinkedinEmail Xcel is not our friend link
It all begins with a notice saying power will be shut off from 10am-6pm Wednesday, then they unexpectedly extended it and the next day during the press conference he says it was a "misunderstanding" and that you can't just turn the power back. Uts ridiculous and seems like a complete lie to me. I woke up Thursday with no lights but 2 blocks from my house in downtown golde. They all had their lights on. We can't let them use their power to go for profits over everyone's safety and comfort during the winter. They have a monopoly and they... Continue reading
Share When “Public Safety” Becomes Public Harm on FacebookShare When “Public Safety” Becomes Public Harm on TwitterShare When “Public Safety” Becomes Public Harm on LinkedinEmail When “Public Safety” Becomes Public Harm link
I am submitting this statement to formally document my experience with Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during the week prior to Christmas. I reside in the Morrison/Golden area and am a stay-at-home mother of two young children. What occurred was not a single, weather-driven emergency event, but two extended PSPS events within three days, resulting in significant hardship, financial loss, and disruption to basic living conditions.
What was initially communicated as a one-day power shutoff on Wednesday ultimately lasted approximately 36 hours. Power was restored briefly, only to be shut off again early Friday morning at approximately 5:30... Continue reading
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I live in Evergreen (80439). My household received less than 24 hours’ notice about the recent Xcel Energy public safety power shutoff. We have been without heat, running water, electricity, or reliable cell service for several days while sick. Elderly and medically vulnerable residents nearby have been displaced and put at serious risk. Local stores have closed and businesses have lost thousands of dollars in spoiled product and lost business.
The limited notice, lack of communication, and lack of accommodations for vulnerable residents raise serious safety concerns. I’m requesting a review of Xcel’s protocols for planned shutoffs and improved communication... Continue reading
Share Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage on FacebookShare Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage on TwitterShare Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage on LinkedinEmail Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage link
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... Continue reading
Share Xcel needs a scalpel, not a cleaver on FacebookShare Xcel needs a scalpel, not a cleaver on TwitterShare Xcel needs a scalpel, not a cleaver on LinkedinEmail Xcel needs a scalpel, not a cleaver link
These public safety shutdowns cannot become the new normal. It's extremely disruptive and beyond inconvenient and frustrating. Years of Xcel management neglect to maintain and harden vulnerable infrastructure can't be born by the public. It's not fair to us.
Additionally, this wind event was NOTHING. To be clear, it was a non-event here in Solterra (470 and Alameda - west Lakewood area).
Xcel must get more surgical with both cutting power and their communications. Broadly cutting power to thousands of customers who aren't even experiencing high winds is unacceptable. Because of their broad - one size fits all approach... Continue reading
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I believe PUC has authority over cellular services in Colorado, and this comment is related to the public safety power shutoffs. When power is shut off during weather emergencies, and home wifi networks no longer work, it's critical that residents have reliable cellular service to receive communications. I live in a residential neighborhood within the city limits of Boulder, and my cellular reception is terrible (I've had both Verizon and T-Mobile, and both are equally bad). This is not an issue when wifi is working, but is a critical safety issue when power goes out. PUC should investigate the adequacy... Continue reading
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The first planned outage on December 17 went into effect pretty much right on time. Here in Golden, businesses and residence were without power for 28 hours - I believe that was well over the estimated restoration time that was initially quoted. Updates were seldom and inaccurate; basically the amount of time we had planned for having an outage was stretched double or triple the amount of time which really does affect things. During the first outage, there was wind, and there were gusts, but we had worse, way worse, a week before and there were no shut offs.
The December PSPS shutdown in December 2025. What a joke. I live on the border of Golden and Arvada. Between the 2 shutdowns I have been without power for over 48 hours. The wind over the past 24 hours has been non existent. You couldn't fly a kite if you tried. This isn't the first wind that colorado had experienced and it won't be the last. It seems to me that there should be a better approach to managing fire risk than simply cutting power to a large swath of customers who live on the west side of town and... Continue reading
