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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.
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Xcel should be required to build microgrids in communities impacted. Not only would this provide backup during planned and unplanned outages but also support the use of renewables.
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This power shut off in my opinion was absolutely unnecessary. Starting with the wind was no worse than most normal wind days in my neighborhood.
I am low income and medical equipment dependent. I can't afford a generator. If I could I would resolve the problem of power shut offs.
I have my equipment registered with xcel but it doesn't matter even though it says online to register that you need medical equipment and they won't shut your power off. Not!
Xcel's refusal to reimburse for all of the lost food, and the cost to get a motel during the... Continue reading
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I live in a rural area, which means I know three things:
How to spot real danger
How to prepare for bad weather
How to tell when something is wildly overblown
This outage falls squarely into category #3.
We were without power for over four days due to a concern about wind. Not sustained wind. Not ongoing hazardous conditions. Just the possibility of wind — which, in our specific area, showed up once for about 30 minutes and then moved along.
Now, to be fair: we understand that parts of the grid did experience higher winds. That happens... Continue reading
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Single worst experience of my life. No Internet for 3 hours. Luckily I have gas appliances so my wife and I were able to make some chicken picatta. No capers though, so that definitely left me with some PTSD. It did get a little warm in the house because I couldn't turn on a fan to get airflow. Xcel needs to pay for every single inconvenience that was caused to me and my family. Couldn't even watch the Grinch while we ate that night. Unacceptable.
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This is an absolutely unacceptable situation. I live in Leyden Rock and lost power twice for over 50 hours combined. I understand that this was necessary to prevent wildfires and I am not upset that it was done. Communication was also abysmal, but again is not why I am so upset. The reason I am upset is that I can see when driving along Highway 93 that our power lines are being held up my flimsy wooden poles that look to be decades old. Of course they are at risk of being blown down. They clearly weren't designed to withstand... Continue reading
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We had power shut off for over 30 hours during the second high wind warning in December, yet we felt that the first wind event was more severe and we never lost power. Most frustrating is seeing neighborhoods 1/2 mile away and closer to the foothills with higher fire risk never loose power? I would love to hear the explanation for that.
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The information provided was power would go off at 11:00 a.m. and it went off about 9:30. I have worn oxygen for 15 years and cannot live without it. I was able to go to my sons and take my concentrator thanks to my son. It was very stressful for myself and my husband. Our neighbors stayed in their house and they were cold in the house during the night. I understand Excel was protecting our homes from fires and appreciate that. I hope Excel thinks about those of us who have special needs. Thank You.
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The recent multi-county Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) came as a terrible surprise to my family. We had never heard of this, and certainly never experienced one. We are shocked at how it was explained versus how it actually happened. Moreover, we are surprised that the program was approved by the Public Utilities Commission in June 2025 but never communicated to ALL Xcel customers at that time. As a long-time resident and customer, we were never advised about this planned program, or asked to give commentary input, or allowed to ask questions.
This particular PSPS seemed to have caused much... Continue reading
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My family was impacted by the first outage back in April 2025. My home was not directly impacted by the most recent shut off. However, I have kids in elementary schools and having Jefferson County not have school was a very impactful decision. I understand Jefferson County Schools did not want to have students inside buildings when the power goes out. I can appreciate their proactive stance. And I know much of this is out of their control. However, is very impactful for my work schedule our children’s care schedule and the overall stress of not knowing if the Friday... Continue reading
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It was 24 degrees and the power was out, although I was fine with building a fire, my tenants who are older were not ok. He had a stroke several years back and lives in a lift chair. The power went out and he was stuck upright in his chair. This is the only way he can get up. Refrigerated medications were ruined, food was ruined and no one had heat. We should be reimbursed for all the food we had to toss.
What steps is Excel taking to be proactive for the next power outage?
