Public Safety Power Shutoff - December 2025

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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. 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.

This is Xcel's second PSPS, the first being in April 2024. The PUC received extensive public input following the 2024 event, much of it focusing on lack of notice, inadequate communication during the event, poor mapping of impacted areas and insufficient planning to identify and protect critical infrastructure and facilities. Since 2024, the PUC has taken several steps requiring Xcel to improve its actions across each of these areas. These areas of improvement include:

  • Advance coordination with state and local emergency response agencies including holding practice shut off events (i.e. “table-top exercises)
  • Work with local governments to develop lists of critical infrastructure and facilities (e.g. hospitals and water treatment facilities) in order to prioritize communication and power restoration
  • Advance notice (starting as early as 72 hours in advance) to all potentially impacted customers along with regular updates leading up to the outage
  • Accurate and timely communication to customers during the outage
  • Tailored and advanced outreach to individual customers that have informed Xcel of dependence on electric-powered medical equipment
  • Accurate and detailed mapping both to help residential and commercial customers understand the scope of outages

The PUC also committed to create 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 December 2025 event. 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.

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. 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.

This is Xcel's second PSPS, the first being in April 2024. The PUC received extensive public input following the 2024 event, much of it focusing on lack of notice, inadequate communication during the event, poor mapping of impacted areas and insufficient planning to identify and protect critical infrastructure and facilities. Since 2024, the PUC has taken several steps requiring Xcel to improve its actions across each of these areas. These areas of improvement include:

  • Advance coordination with state and local emergency response agencies including holding practice shut off events (i.e. “table-top exercises)
  • Work with local governments to develop lists of critical infrastructure and facilities (e.g. hospitals and water treatment facilities) in order to prioritize communication and power restoration
  • Advance notice (starting as early as 72 hours in advance) to all potentially impacted customers along with regular updates leading up to the outage
  • Accurate and timely communication to customers during the outage
  • Tailored and advanced outreach to individual customers that have informed Xcel of dependence on electric-powered medical equipment
  • Accurate and detailed mapping both to help residential and commercial customers understand the scope of outages

The PUC also committed to create 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 December 2025 event. 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.

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  • Share Excessive Power Outage Dec, 2025 on Facebook Share Excessive Power Outage Dec, 2025 on Twitter Share Excessive Power Outage Dec, 2025 on Linkedin Email Excessive Power Outage Dec, 2025 link

    Excessive Power Outage Dec, 2025

    by SaraC, 4 days ago

    I want to start of by agreeing to the strong wind storms the past two days. But leaving homes without power for over 72hrs is ridiculous and inconsiderate. It’s 12/20/2025 the wind storm has passed, there’s no wind and we have yet another delay for our power being out back on. Excel is clearly not working as diligent as they say considering our power was supposed to be back at 10pm tonight after over 48 hrs without it. Now they’re saying we have to wait until tomorrow 12pm for no good or reasonable logical reason. There’s no damage to our... Continue reading

  • Share Communication? on Facebook Share Communication? on Twitter Share Communication? on Linkedin Email Communication? link

    Communication?

    by JamesDoMo, 4 days ago

    This was this morning. These were all sent within 30 minutes of one another. Both text and email. Xcel has no idea what they are doing. Incompetence on steroids.

  • Share System is broken on Facebook Share System is broken on Twitter Share System is broken on Linkedin Email System is broken link

    System is broken

    by sthompso80, 4 days ago

    If this will be the new normal going forward, homeowners should be allowed to source/provide their own energy. This means no limits on energy creation, storage, and use. If xcel can’t be a resource for reliable energy, customers should not be restricted by xcel’s issues. They are responsible for maintaining a reliable grid and maybe being a for profit entity hinders this expenditure. This is clearly a monopoly situation. Customers do not have any other options for no service. We need to be able to provide for ourselves and not rely on an outdated and unreliable network. The complete loss... Continue reading

  • Share Unnecessary outage on Facebook Share Unnecessary outage on Twitter Share Unnecessary outage on Linkedin Email Unnecessary outage link

    Unnecessary outage

    by mkherz, 4 days ago
    I live in Genesee, where there are NO overhead power lines within at least 5 miles. WHY did we even have to deal with this unnecessary power outage? And the outage, at this point, has far exceeded the duration of the high wind event--why does it take Xcel DAYS to restore power? This is completely unacceptable. What happens when they pull the same stunt when it's 10 below?
  • Share Bad communication from xcel created post-surgery nightmare on Facebook Share Bad communication from xcel created post-surgery nightmare on Twitter Share Bad communication from xcel created post-surgery nightmare on Linkedin Email Bad communication from xcel created post-surgery nightmare link

    Bad communication from xcel created post-surgery nightmare

    by Ebk, 4 days ago

    Xcel told us power would be shut off Wednesday from 10am to 6pm for the psps, but didn’t mention that it would take another day for them to check the lines and make repairs before restoring power. I had major knee surgery on Tuesday, but since I thought power would be back on before dark on Wednesday, I didn’t think I needed to get a hotel. I couldn’t believe it when they texted on Wednesday evening to explain that it would take until Thursday night to turn power back on! We lost all our food and I had to spend... Continue reading

  • Share Fix the problems please on Facebook Share Fix the problems please on Twitter Share Fix the problems please on Linkedin Email Fix the problems please link

    Fix the problems please

    by ArvadaResident123, 4 days ago
    I live off Indiana and 72nd. I understand the need to shut down power to reduce the risk of fire. However, why was the power shut off before the wind even started to blow? I appreciated the notifications from Xcel for the power outage that started Wednesday, but the outage was supposed to last from 10A-6P. We did not get our power restored until Thursday at 3:00 PM. What was most concerning is that neighborhoods just a stone's throw away had power. For the second outage that began the morning of Friday, Dec 19th, Xcel provided NO notifications. If it... Continue reading
  • Share Xcel is not our friend on Facebook Share Xcel is not our friend on Twitter Share Xcel is not our friend on Linkedin Email Xcel is not our friend link

    Xcel is not our friend

    by JessBorg77, 4 days ago
    It all begins with a notice saying power will be shut off from 10am-6pm Wednesday, then they unexpectedly extended it and the next day during the press conference he says it was a "misunderstanding" and that you can't just turn the power back. Uts ridiculous and seems like a complete lie to me. I woke up Thursday with no lights but 2 blocks from my house in downtown golde. They all had their lights on. We can't let them use their power to go for profits over everyone's safety and comfort during the winter. They have a monopoly and they... Continue reading
  • Share When “Public Safety” Becomes Public Harm on Facebook Share When “Public Safety” Becomes Public Harm on Twitter Share When “Public Safety” Becomes Public Harm on Linkedin Email When “Public Safety” Becomes Public Harm link

    When “Public Safety” Becomes Public Harm

    by LM.CO, 4 days ago

    I am submitting this statement to formally document my experience with Xcel Energy’s Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) during the week prior to Christmas. I reside in the Morrison/Golden area and am a stay-at-home mother of two young children. What occurred was not a single, weather-driven emergency event, but two extended PSPS events within three days, resulting in significant hardship, financial loss, and disruption to basic living conditions.

    What was initially communicated as a one-day power shutoff on Wednesday ultimately lasted approximately 36 hours. Power was restored briefly, only to be shut off again early Friday morning at approximately 5:30... Continue reading

  • Share Multi-day planned outage with insufficient notice on Facebook Share Multi-day planned outage with insufficient notice on Twitter Share Multi-day planned outage with insufficient notice on Linkedin Email Multi-day planned outage with insufficient notice link

    Multi-day planned outage with insufficient notice

    by Morgan Rodriguez, 4 days ago

    I live in Evergreen (80439). My household received less than 24 hours’ notice about the recent Xcel Energy public safety power shutoff. We have been without heat, running water, electricity, or reliable cell service for several days while sick. Elderly and medically vulnerable residents nearby have been displaced and put at serious risk. Local stores have closed and businesses have lost thousands of dollars in spoiled product and lost business.

    The limited notice, lack of communication, and lack of accommodations for vulnerable residents raise serious safety concerns. I’m requesting a review of Xcel’s protocols for planned shutoffs and improved communication... Continue reading

  • Share Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage on Facebook Share Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage on Twitter Share Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage on Linkedin Email Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage link

    Completely Unacceptable Duration of Power Outage

    by ArvadaWheels, 4 days ago

    As a resident who has no ability to choose an alternative electricity provider, I rely entirely on the PUC to ensure that Xcel delivers reliable, and responsibly managed electric service. What occurred during this December 2025 PSPS event was unacceptable by any reasonable standard, and I expect the PUC to provide clear answers and accountability.

    My power was shut off before Xcel said it would be and hours before any significant wind activity began, and it took hours after conditions improved for power to return. This raises serious questions about the criteria, planning, and operational execution behind this PSPS. How... Continue reading

Page last updated: 24 Dec 2025, 09:32 AM