Random Power Cuts in Boulder

-We received five hours notice via phone/email that our power would be cut at 3p on 4/6. Not much time to react if not at home.

-Our power lines are buried

-Neighbors immediately across the street from us did not have power cut. As we drove around Boulder the evening of 4/6 we noticed this to be true elsewhere. Some areas of a neighborhood dark, other parts with power.

-What was the criteria for the power cuts? If most of the city had power, wouldn't this be a potential for a wild fire as well as our neighborhood? Many of the areas with power had overhead lines.

-No updates from Xcel after power was cut. When we repeatedly sent texts I received an auto response "we are accessing the situation" or I was directed to check their website outage map for updated information. When I was able to check the map using my cell phone it provided no information. Why not additional emails, phone calls or text updates? Xcel failed miserably with communication to customers.

-Finally, on the morning of 4/7 their Facebook page is updated to say each and every line had to be inspected before they could turn on power? Surely they know where there is a faulty line and can provide an ETA for when power would be restored. If not, then we have even more critical infrastructure issues.

Our we, as customers, to expect this to happen each time there is a high wind warning? There have been countless times when predicted high winds never materialized and many others when there was no high wind warning and Boulder ended up with a high wind situation.

-Our power was restored after 22 hours. Long after the winds had stopped. We were one of the lucky ones. I don't understand how random power cuts throughout a city is deemed a preventative measure to stop a potential wildfire situation.