Public Safety Power Shutoff

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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.

Share Your Experience

Have feedback for the PUC about a recent Public Safety Power Shutoff? Feel free to share here.
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  • Share You wiped out a full day of production at my small business! on Facebook Share You wiped out a full day of production at my small business! on Twitter Share You wiped out a full day of production at my small business! on Linkedin Email You wiped out a full day of production at my small business! link

    You wiped out a full day of production at my small business!

    by bsodetz, 3 months ago

    My business is in Fort Collins, CO 80524. Larimer county.

    Received an email on Monday 12/15 saying we MIGHT be impacted at noon on Wednesday. Power was shut off at 10am.

    Wind didn't start picking up until 3:00 pm! And seemed much worse a week or two ago.

    That 5 hour difference was huge! Heck, those 2 hours would even have been helpful!

    We lost significant time and revenue! Do you know how embarrassing it is to tell a customer we can't ship when we said we would because the power company simply decided to shut off our power because... Continue reading

Page last updated: 09 Mar 2026, 10:38 AM