Average wind storm, fairly low fire danger, but extreme measures

This was a fairly average wind storm for Boulder, and the fuel moisture content was much higher than the day the Marshall fire happened. Xcel's decision to turn off power preemptively was a poorly executed and very poorly communicated overreaction to recent allegations towards them.

We have a friend who relies on an oxygen generator and finally had to resort to calling 911 to get him through this. He was totally stressed out and very frightened. I am sure there were many more like him. Enormous amounts of food were lost by restaurants, food banks and many private citizens. There are many other impacts that I am sure are addressed in these stories.
Like some of the other posters here I moved to Colorado in the early 90s from Europe. Before moving here I had experienced maybe 2 power outages in almost 30 years. Since living here, there have been dozens (if not 100+). Xcel's power infrastructure is far inferior to any other industrialized country I have visited. Even if Xcel doesn't want to bury the power infrastructure (which would be the proper way) because of cost - how can power poles placed along the (well known and characterized) wind prone areas on Boulder County not be at least braced correctly so they don't snap? Everyone in Boulder County is required by law to design their buildings, outbuildings and other structures in a way that withstands commonly observed wind gusts, I am sure Xcel can do this to their power distribution system.
Choosing a preemptive shutdown in my view is an admission by Xcel to their hopelessly outdated and poorly maintained infrastructure. Xcel enjoys an almost risk free business without competition and the ability to just pass commodity price fluctuations down to the consumer. They make 100's of millions of dollars profit every year. Please use at least some of that to bring your infrastructure into the 21st century!