Xcel to shut power off for 55,000 customers for high wind, fire danger

Xcel will shut off power to 55,000 Colorado customers across six counties for more than 24 hours Saturday, citing the dangerous wind conditions and wildfire risks this weekend.

Some of the energy company’s customers in Boulder, Gilpin, Larimer, Douglas, Broomfield and Jefferson Counties will see planned outages starting around 3 p.m. Saturday that will continue through noon Sunday, according to an Xcel news release.

Xcel provides electricity and natural gas to 1.6 million customers across Colorado, including cities and towns.

Traffic lights may be out as well, according to the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office on X. Treat out lights like a four-way stop.

Outages may last beyond Sunday because crews have to physically inspect the powerlines before turning them back on, Xcel stated in the release.

“Customers who use medical equipment that relies on electrical service should take steps to prepare for extended outages,” the release stated. “Temporarily shutting power off is intended to prevent our electric system from becoming the source of a wildfire ignition.”

Xcel is facing hundreds of lawsuits after investigators concluded one of the company’s powerlines helped spark the wind-driven Marshall fire in Boulder County in 2021; the utility has disputed that conclusion.

Even with the planned outages, the high winds may damage electric equipment and cause additional outages of their own, Xcel said. Outages caused by these winds may be more frequent and longer lasting than normal.

Xcel customers can check current outages online after 3 p.m.