Public Safety Power Shutoff

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  Fire the PUC

  by Mbruce0316, 5 months ago

  Obviously the PUC chair and commissioners are on the side of Xcel, letting XCEL raise the rates and not give us power and doing nothing about it. The PUC is set by the governor and he picked wrong. Eric Blank needs to resign or be fired he makes close to $200k a year gets kick backs from Xcel and has been in charge of holding xcel responsible since he started in 2020 and has yet to do so. We need a new PUC, one that doesn’t take kickbacks from Xcel.

  Obviously the PUC chair and commissioners are on the side of Xcel, letting XCEL raise the rates and not give us power and doing nothing about it. The PUC is set by the governor and he picked wrong. Eric Blank needs to resign or be fired he makes close to $200k a year gets kick backs from Xcel and has been in charge of holding xcel responsible since he started in 2020 and has yet to do so. We need a new PUC, one that doesn’t take kickbacks from Xcel.
• Share Power Outage December 19, 2025 on Facebook Share Power Outage December 19, 2025 on Twitter Share Power Outage December 19, 2025 on Linkedin Email Power Outage December 19, 2025 link

  Power Outage December 19, 2025

  by Colorado Home, 5 months ago

  I certainly don’t have access to the “whole” picture with this outage which adds greatly to the frustration. Companies say the right thing, but what their concerns are profits to the company. Review the grid failure in Texas a few years back, event was larger and maybe more catastrophic but causes of the event are similar. ERCOT only was focused on “standard” days, 60 degree temperatures etc. Facts were different a winter storm did not produce “standard days” that the system design evolved to. New power sources were not winterized for non standard weather, older sources were shutdown and dismantled... Continue reading

  I certainly don’t have access to the “whole” picture with this outage which adds greatly to the frustration. Companies say the right thing, but what their concerns are profits to the company. Review the grid failure in Texas a few years back, event was larger and maybe more catastrophic but causes of the event are similar. ERCOT only was focused on “standard” days, 60 degree temperatures etc. Facts were different a winter storm did not produce “standard days” that the system design evolved to. New power sources were not winterized for non standard weather, older sources were shutdown and dismantled. Management did not understand the actions of their own shed load system, shutdown power to certain industrial areas that were on shed list, however this shutdown sources of gas preventing backup power generations from being brought on line these sources of gas take several days to bring back on line. Management was laser focused on lowest cost with highest profits, looked great until nature varied. High wind events are not new in Colorado, that has not changed. With history damage extent should be predictable with supplies and crews pre staged for repair and restoring power. Shutting off power in the winter in Colorado is not a good strategy. A written plan is great to prepare for an event, however these change instantly when the event begins. Reliability has not been improving over the last decade. PUC please actively oversee the electrical supply. Develope your own data, from residents, on supply reliability and response. There have to be reasons that reliability and information is not improving. No oversight cost Texas billions and many deaths. This cost us nothing if we learn from their costly experience.

  
  
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  Stop wasting money on climate hoax

  by Tod Anderson, 5 months ago
  Upgrading the grid to be more resilient to wind and fire risk should be the only thing that the PUC and Excel Power should do for the next several years. Spending billions to swap out gas furnaces with heat pumps made in a coal powered factory in China accomplishes exactly zero for climate change. If the PUC isn’t technically capable of understanding how energy systems works they should quit and be replaced with engineers.

  Upgrading the grid to be more resilient to wind and fire risk should be the only thing that the PUC and Excel Power should do for the next several years. Spending billions to swap out gas furnaces with heat pumps made in a coal powered factory in China accomplishes exactly zero for climate change. If the PUC isn’t technically capable of understanding how energy systems works they should quit and be replaced with engineers.
• Share Apple Meadows, same old wind, just no more power on Facebook Share Apple Meadows, same old wind, just no more power on Twitter Share Apple Meadows, same old wind, just no more power on Linkedin Email Apple Meadows, same old wind, just no more power link

  Apple Meadows, same old wind, just no more power

  by cplummer, 5 months ago

  I live in north Golden, close to highway 93. I grew up in Colorado in the foothills, and have lived on the west side of town for close to 54 years.

  
  

  I understand our high winds, dry conditions, fire danger. I live just 10 miles south of Marshall. I even appreciated and prepared for the Planned outage yesterday (12/17/25, from 10am - 6pm), that Xcel warned me about for days on end leading up to the wind event.

  
  

  I appreciate the precautions due to the fire concern, however, we are now in day 4 of what was only supposed to... Continue reading

  I live in north Golden, close to highway 93. I grew up in Colorado in the foothills, and have lived on the west side of town for close to 54 years.

  
  

  I understand our high winds, dry conditions, fire danger. I live just 10 miles south of Marshall. I even appreciated and prepared for the Planned outage yesterday (12/17/25, from 10am - 6pm), that Xcel warned me about for days on end leading up to the wind event.

  
  

  I appreciate the precautions due to the fire concern, however, we are now in day 4 of what was only supposed to be an 8 hour shut off. I called Xcel last night to get any updates (no more proactive communication from them), and just got the response “we don’t know”.

  
  

  I know that we have dangerous high winds events. Quite frankly, I’ve grown up with these wind events all my life. I believe the energy company understands Colorado weather and their equipment can handle our weather including our sustained high winds. It has handled it for my entire life - up until the Marshall fire.

  
  

  Liability is 100% the reason why my power is still shut off 74 hours later (and neighborhoods a block away HAVE POWER) and probably will be shut off until Monday 12/21 (from the little I’m gleaning from reports in the news). Yet, every single year for the last 54 years, we have had hellacious winds from November - June in my neighborhood with power outages few and far between. The equipment has been built to handle our weather conditions. Not only that, as many people have pointed out, what’s the safety precaution when people a mile away have power? Their lines could go down too, couldn’t they?

  
  

  What’s new is the threat of liability and executives making sweeping decisions to protect their perceived fears of more law suits. I think everyone in our neighborhood understands that there were multiple contributing factors in the Marshall Fire case. If Xcel is so terrified that their power lines can’t withstand the wind events (that we get every year), then they need to spend their energy and resources on improving their equipment.

  
  

  You cannot tell me that in this day and age, with where we are in technology and how much money we are being charged for our energy that they don’t have the money to build a solid enough infrastructure to keep our energy on during the winter months?…. I’m just not buying it. The excuses are weak. Our wind continues like this until June. I get it that it’s dry. But if they are using snow and moisture as their only defense for fire prevention (because it’s free), then we all have bigger problems here.

  
  

  The fact that all day today, so far, has been calm and mild and they still haven’t restored my power is telling. They say they are getting around to it as quick as they can? 24-48 or 72 hours to restore power in my neighborhood, Apple Meadows, where we have had no damage is unacceptable. They may have damage elsewhere, but they need to have enough crews to make timely inspections in neighborhoods like mine where all of this was extreme over precaution. They absolutely could turn it back on right now, but they won’t.

  
  

  Now, instead of getting dozens of texts, emails and voicemails, telling me what’s going on, it’s crickets. Because, they know, like I do, this is all a sham.
  
  ps, it’s Saturday, 12/20 and it’s snowing now.
• Share An absolute nightmare on Facebook Share An absolute nightmare on Twitter Share An absolute nightmare on Linkedin Email An absolute nightmare link

  An absolute nightmare

  by 1912 mt. Zion dr. , 5 months ago

  This was nothing short of an absolute nightmare all to protect Xcel from liability. I feel absolutely take. Advantage of by my public utility company. I live in golden right above the school of mines and had my power shut off for two multiple day stretches beginning on Wednesday and Friday morning. On both days of the shut off the wind wasn’t even that bad, especially for the majority of the day. I have seen way worse in golden and it’s never caused a fire before. My kids had their school and preschool canceled for 3 consecutive days. I pay... Continue reading

  This was nothing short of an absolute nightmare all to protect Xcel from liability. I feel absolutely take. Advantage of by my public utility company. I live in golden right above the school of mines and had my power shut off for two multiple day stretches beginning on Wednesday and Friday morning. On both days of the shut off the wind wasn’t even that bad, especially for the majority of the day. I have seen way worse in golden and it’s never caused a fire before. My kids had their school and preschool canceled for 3 consecutive days. I pay nearly $200 per day for daycare, which was thrown down the drain. I couldn’t work the whole time because I had to care for my kids who were out of school. I have two refrigerators and a meat freezer. Everything has gone bad (likely over $1000 in food since I shop in bulk from Costco ) I had to rush and buy a $700 generator on Thursday . We didn’t even use it because the reality is a gas generator is fire risk (more risky than having power at our house). We stayed at a hotel last night. I’ve slept poorly for the last 4 nights with all the stress and anxiety around this situation. This has been more than an inconvenience and it’s insane they’re doing this to people. Most of the time during the power shut off on Wednesday and Friday it was t even windy. If this is the new normal we’ll have to move. I have never heard of a power shut off like this before that last for almost five days straight just to prevent a “possible” fire. Xcel needs to bury its lines and put customers first. The way they treated us was terrible. I can’t believe this is legal
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  Unanswered Questions & Lack of Accountability

  by shanda, 5 months ago

  I'm writing to join the voices of dismay and disbelief at this incredibly disruptive and unproductive shutoff. Very little about this incredibly disruptive shutoff passes the smell test. Why is the power off for so long in neighborhoods with buried power lines? Why did so many schools in non-impacted areas need to be disrupted? Why does it take Xcel longer to restore power from a planned outage than an emergency? And further, why are the Xcel work hours so limited (emergency or not, this is a crisis for many families)?

  So many families have had disrupted work & school due... Continue reading

  I'm writing to join the voices of dismay and disbelief at this incredibly disruptive and unproductive shutoff. Very little about this incredibly disruptive shutoff passes the smell test. Why is the power off for so long in neighborhoods with buried power lines? Why did so many schools in non-impacted areas need to be disrupted? Why does it take Xcel longer to restore power from a planned outage than an emergency? And further, why are the Xcel work hours so limited (emergency or not, this is a crisis for many families)?

  So many families have had disrupted work & school due to this outages. It's a struggle to keep food from spoiling. And as someone whose mother relied on oxygen for many years, I'm thinking of all the families caring for an ill family member that is relying on oxygen. The insurers will not provide users with emergency tanks, leaving ill people with very difficult circumstances.

  If power is going to be shutoff during what turns out to be a pretty mild windstorm, I would hope the PUC would do their job and provide answers and accountability to consumers.
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  Public health and safety study needed

  by PG, 5 months ago

  The public health and monetary risks from a wildfire sparked by downed power lines can, and should, to be qualitatively analyzed and compared to public health and monetary risks from extended power outages. Some of these include:

  ***Health and safety***:

  -Fires started by increased use of grills or fire for cooking, and candles and lanterns for lighting.

  -Fires and asphyxiation dangers from use of alternative combustion fuel sources for heat or cooking sources.

  -Increased spread of infectious disease, especially in vulnerable populations or families with existing illness, due lack of hot water for bathing, washing hands, cleaning soiled (by vomit... Continue reading

  The public health and monetary risks from a wildfire sparked by downed power lines can, and should, to be qualitatively analyzed and compared to public health and monetary risks from extended power outages. Some of these include:

  ***Health and safety***:

  -Fires started by increased use of grills or fire for cooking, and candles and lanterns for lighting.

  -Fires and asphyxiation dangers from use of alternative combustion fuel sources for heat or cooking sources.

  -Increased spread of infectious disease, especially in vulnerable populations or families with existing illness, due lack of hot water for bathing, washing hands, cleaning soiled (by vomit or diarrhea) clothes/bedding or cleaning dishes.

  -Inability to use medical devices or breast pumps for lactating women.

  -increased trip/ fall hazards due to lack of light at night, particularly among the elderly.

  -Food born illness caused by eating spoiled foods, particularly among vulnerable people, and from used of unsanitized baby bottles, dishes, cups, and utensils.

  -Increased mental health burden for populations impacted.

  ***Monetary***:

  -Time taken off work/ lower work productivity, especially for those working remotely or who rely on childcare that must be closed.

  -Cost to replace spoiled food.

  -Need to purchase alternative lighting (flashlights, lanterns), heat sources or blankets, ice and coolers, water, batteries, etc.

  -Purchasing ready to eat or restaurant food during the outage.

  -Loss of tourist revenue.

  -Loss of revenue for local businesses.

  As a certified public health professional with a master's degree in the field, I can verify that this type of analysis is not only possible, but needed, to make logical policies that protect public health and safety, instead of relying on Xcel's narrow perspective to make these decisions.
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  Kids missing school

  by LTagg54, 5 months ago
  I understand cutting power during extreme wind events, however, when it is cut 6+ hours before actual wind arrives, it causes a huge burden for those that have very young children or elderly on oxygen. With technology, we can see real time wind speeds. Why does it need to be cut so early based on a forecast rather than what is actually happening? For me in particular, I have a child on an IEP with an intellectual disability who has missed 3 days of school in a row as well as making it difficult to taking care of my kids... Continue reading

  I understand cutting power during extreme wind events, however, when it is cut 6+ hours before actual wind arrives, it causes a huge burden for those that have very young children or elderly on oxygen. With technology, we can see real time wind speeds. Why does it need to be cut so early based on a forecast rather than what is actually happening? For me in particular, I have a child on an IEP with an intellectual disability who has missed 3 days of school in a row as well as making it difficult to taking care of my kids when I can’t feed them food from the refrigerator, can’t cook and am concerned about keeping them warm enough at night. In the 10+ years I have lived here, we have only lost power a handful of times. Why does it take excel so long to restore electricity? When the wind ceases, it is no longer a public service safety as there are no longer high winds. Instead, their hesitation to turn the power back on just exasperates the problem.
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  United power customer

  by Crzion333, 5 months ago
  This is my 14th winter in the same location. I live in Lincoln Hills less than 1000 feet from the united power substation. I have never lost power for more than a few hours before this incident December 2025. I felt safe and comforted with living in close proximity to the UP substation because we rarely lose power in any circumstances. I am aware the surrounding area serviced by Excell energy are frequently without power for days on end. Now excell energy’s problem with their service and infrastructure has now become my problem. I have a family and a my... Continue reading

  This is my 14th winter in the same location. I live in Lincoln Hills less than 1000 feet from the united power substation. I have never lost power for more than a few hours before this incident December 2025. I felt safe and comforted with living in close proximity to the UP substation because we rarely lose power in any circumstances. I am aware the surrounding area serviced by Excell energy are frequently without power for days on end. Now excell energy’s problem with their service and infrastructure has now become my problem. I have a family and a my 7 year old son has never experienced a power outage like this. I did purchase a generator and that cost me $1200 right before Christmas. I expect to have throw out the food in my fridge as I was ill prepared for the effect that excell energy would have on me as a united power customer. Anyway this is unacceptable and my thousand dollar generator can’t power my well pump so we have been without water for days ( another first in 14 years). The planned outages from excell are NOT an acceptable solution. Now it affects me and my family and I am greatly displeased by this situation.

  CR
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  Clear Creek - No Notice

  by djbertelsen, 5 months ago
  I work for Clear Creek County and was only notified when our head of facilities told us Georgetown was being shut down. Xcel’s inconsistent communication is the core of this issue. They blatantly lied when they said the shutdown was only going to be for 11 hours on Friday (12/19), but could extend into Monday. On top of the rate increases, we will be losing both food and medicine as a result. Will Xcel cover that? Most likely not. If they can’t use their 1.9 billion in profits to make their assets more resilient to weather events, what are we... Continue reading

  I work for Clear Creek County and was only notified when our head of facilities told us Georgetown was being shut down. Xcel’s inconsistent communication is the core of this issue. They blatantly lied when they said the shutdown was only going to be for 11 hours on Friday (12/19), but could extend into Monday. On top of the rate increases, we will be losing both food and medicine as a result. Will Xcel cover that? Most likely not. If they can’t use their 1.9 billion in profits to make their assets more resilient to weather events, what are we even doing with them as our utility? The PUC needs to hold Xcel accountable and Xcel needs to do right by their customers. The fact that we need their approval to install solar or go off-grid is insane too. They stopped approving new solar projects for a lot of people up here because it would eat into their bottom line. BS. If more people were allowed to install their own systems, this wouldn’t be necessary. But capitalist greed gonna capitalist greed.