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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 Terrible Communication, Zero Customer Service on FacebookShare Terrible Communication, Zero Customer Service on TwitterShare Terrible Communication, Zero Customer Service on LinkedinEmail Terrible Communication, Zero Customer Service link
On Dec 16 we heard of the possible power outage on local news without any communication from Xcel whatsoever. On the morning of Dec 17 close to 10 AM the power was cut with very little to no wind blowing. In fact I went outside for a few hours because it was so nice and calm. When I checked the Xcel website soon after the outage started it indicated the outage was unplanned. This was a lie. They planned it. At about 4 PM the wind finally started picking up. Not horrible for the front range but blustery. Normal for... Continue reading
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We were told we MIGHT have a power outage by 11:00 A.M. We lost power at 10:30 while we were trying to get things done before the outage MIGHT happen.
Excel knows where and when these planned outages are going to take place. It is their responsibility to let customers know way in advance. They can't just say power MIGHT be shut off in Weld County - where in Weld County?
Excel needs to explain the process of which areas are chosen and why. Why are some houses on a block shut off while houses on the same block still... Continue reading
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We live in Berthoud 80513. we received voicemails indicating we MIGHT be impacted from Noon until 6PM on Wednesday. Power was shut off at 9:56 am. and was not turned back on until 11:50 PM (14 hours?!!!) Our neighborhood was the ONLY houses without power! We could see less than 1 mile in both directions unaffected neighbors with their lights on (their power had not been shut off at all). Power was also on in both Loveland, Longmont and the rural areas in between.
Why is a power company allowed to force a shutdown because something “might” happen? Excel should... Continue reading
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Our household was affected by Xcel Energy’s recent Public Safety Power Shutoff in Northern Colorado. We understand and support the need to prevent wildfires during extreme wind and drought conditions. The issue we experienced was not the shutoff itself, but the lack of clear and timely communication during the event.
Power was shut off at the announced time in the morning (10am), but throughout the entire day the outage status page provided no restoration estimate, displaying only “Invalid Date.” There were no meaningful updates on Xcel’s website, app, or social media as conditions changed. As a result, customers were left... Continue reading
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We live in Golden, right by South Table Mesa. We understand that the risk of wildfire is high with the dry weather and our proximity to the open space. We do not want to lose our home and are mindful of the anniversary of the Louiseville fire. We knew we would have a power outage because Xcel started sharing this with us 5 days ago. What we didn't know was that Xcel would not have an acceptable plan for how to get the power back on once the wind event was over. We didn't know schools would be closed. We... Continue reading
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I am submitting this comment to document my recent experience with repeated power outages and inconsistent restoration communications, which directly contradict claims that recent capital investments have improved reliability and restoration times.
Beginning on December 9, my electric service has been unstable, with repeated outages and intermittent restorations continuing through December 18. During this period, I received numerous automated alerts from Xcel Energy providing estimated restoration times that were repeatedly missed, revised, or later contradicted by subsequent messages.
Specifically:
I received multiple restoration estimates (including December 9, December 10, December 11, and later dates), none of which proved accurate.
I live in Genesee Colorado. We received notice that power would be out on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. the wind died down Wednesday evening and it rained and snowed. It is now Thursday and there was no wind and I just received the text saying that power will not be restored until Sunday the 21st. This is clearly not a safety decision but an economic decision where Excel Energy is simply looking to save money by not sending out the required Crews to turn the power back on. It is an outrage.
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I live in JeffCo near Morrison. Half of our neighborhood has power and the other half doesn't. One of my neighbors less than .4 mile from me has power. Is my half of the neighborhood more at risk of fire than the other? Is there any expectation that our power goes back on sometime today (12/18) when it's been out since 10am 12/17? Do we know if there are downed power lines? Will the power be out through Friday 12/19 and if so until what time? We have no answers to any of our questions because we have had ZERO... Continue reading
Share Arbitrary and unacceptable PSPS outage causing health, safety, and economic harm in Arvada on FacebookShare Arbitrary and unacceptable PSPS outage causing health, safety, and economic harm in Arvada on TwitterShare Arbitrary and unacceptable PSPS outage causing health, safety, and economic harm in Arvada on LinkedinEmail Arbitrary and unacceptable PSPS outage causing health, safety, and economic harm in Arvada link
On December 17, 2025, Xcel Energy cut power to my neighborhood in west Arvada under a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) without actual high-risk conditions. (Neighborhood: Sunrise Ridge.)
The most troubling aspect is how arbitrary and unnecessary this shutdown appears to be. All surrounding neighborhoods — including areas that are more exposed to wind — have had power restored or were never shut off, while our neighborhood remains de-energized. This inconsistency makes it clear that if there were a legitimate ongoing wildfire risk, power would not have been restored to adjacent areas. Xcel has provided no explanation for why our
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I strongly support the effort to reduce wildfire risk. Unfortunately this has been horribly mismanaged. It seems like there was a whole lot of planning for the shutoff and no planning at all regarding restoration of power. It has been 24 hours now. We got a nice rain last night, and there is almost no wind. Xcel has not restored power, and they are not communicating at all. There doesn't even seem to be a plan to restore power. It is clear that the PUC and Xcel are not capable of managing these events. Like others, we lost hundreds of... Continue reading
