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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.
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It took acres of fires, destroyed homes, and untold misery for the PUC to take any action. What will it take next?
The PUC and Xcel Energy lie to us. Based on population figures, the numbers simply don't add up. How can a power outage that harmed Boulder, a city of over 250k people, only affect 50k customers? The vast majority of the city did not have power. I am not even accounting for the surrounding areas. Their metric is egregiously flawed. Does a grandmother living with her family, who's oxygen machine suddenly turned off escape measurement simply because her... Continue reading
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This planned power outage, done "for my safety", has been one of the most unbelievable things I've ever experienced. Wind has existed since the beginning of time, and Colorado has had a power grid for over a century. Yet not until 2024/2025 has the power ever been intentionally shut off because it is windy.
I work from home full time and not have any power was extremely disruptive. I lost almost two days of work during 27 hours without power. My mom, who lives with us, has neck and back issues and, due to the temperature of the house decreasing... Continue reading
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My name is Sam. I use a medical device to breathe for me while I sleep. Without this device I will die.
While not overly complicated in design this device does require power to use. For emergencies I have a battery that can handle the requirements of the machine but only for a couple of days. I would buy a better one but I can't really afford it.
I was given roughly a days notice by text regarding the outage. Which is long enough to charge the battery, but not necessarily long enough to prepare other things in our home... Continue reading
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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
Share Public Comment Regarding Service Reliability and Restoration Communications on FacebookShare Public Comment Regarding Service Reliability and Restoration Communications on TwitterShare Public Comment Regarding Service Reliability and Restoration Communications on LinkedinEmail Public Comment Regarding Service Reliability and Restoration Communications link
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.
