For Wednesday, December 17, if you live in the following counties, Xcel states you will likely be in the power shut off area due to high winds and extreme fire weather. These counties are:
- Adams,
- Arapahoe,
- Boulder,
- Broomfield,
- Denver,
- Douglas,
- Jefferson,
- Larimer and
- Weld
The Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is expected to start around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17 and may change due to changes in the weather. Although the forecast shows weather improving around 6 p.m. Wednesday your power may be impacted during the time it takes Xcel crews to inspect all lines before they can re-energize them. This could take several hours to several days depending on the actual area impacted by the shutoff. Xcel states it is working to limit the number of customers impacted by a PSPS.
Although Xcel is the focus of the shutoffs, please be prepared for a loss of power in any area of the state that is included in high wind warning forecasted by the National Weather Service. Power could also be lost not related to a planned shutoff.
Updates on the weather and power impacts posted to our the channels listed below:
- National Weather Service Boulder Forecast Office Webpage
- DHSEM Website
- DHSEM X Account @COEmergency
- DHSEM Facebook Account
- Xcel Newsroom Webpage
Information shared in Xcel News Release
"Due to the anticipated high winds, outages could take place outside of the PSPS impacted areas, impacting restoration times. If a PSPS is needed or there are other weather-related outages across the system, power restoration efforts will begin after high winds and elevated fire risks have ended. It may take several hours to several days for customers’ power to be restored because a crew must patrol the entire power line to ensure it’s safe to turn service back on before a power line can be re-energized.
Xcel Energy will share further updates on the PSPS event throughout the day today, and through the event. Customers can find event updates and tips to prepare, stay safe, report outages and stay informed when severe weather strikes on the Xcel Energy Event Update webpage.
Xcel Energy will continue to reach out to potentially affected customers as the forecasted weather event approaches and will update customers throughout the weather event with outage and restoration information. Customers can look up their address online to find out whether they may be subject to a PSPS event."
The criteria used by Xcel to trigger a PSPS is extreme winds, relative humidity and low fuel moisture.
DHSEM staff are working through the State Emergency Operations Center with our partners from the National Weather Service, Xcel and county emergency managers to prepare for and respond as needed to the power shutoff. DHSEM reminds you to beginning to prepare for the shutoff today by charging all work and essential equipment (computers, phones, medical equipment, etc) fuel and check generators, and have plans on a workplace if you loose power.
Build a Home Emergency Kit
Xcel encourages people to be prepared for an electric outage by keeping phones and other devices charged and building an outage kit with items that do not require electricity, including:
- Battery-powered radio
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Backup phone chargers
- A phone that does not require electricity
- Non-electric alarm clock
- Bottled water and non-perishable food
- Manual can opener
- First aid kit
- Extension cords (for partial outages)
- Manufacturer’s instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g. garage doors)
- Xcel Energy phone numbers – 800-895-1999 for residential or (800) 481-4700 for business
- Your REA or utility company phone numbers
As an important reminder to customers who have medical equipment that relies on electric service, please take steps to prepare for potential extended outages in case outages do occur. Xcel Energy will be conducting additional outreach for qualifying medical customers.
High Wind Area Map
Red Flag Warning and Critical Fire Weather Condition Map
