Xcel revises power cut impacts to 52,000 customers amid dry, windy weather in Colorado

Xcel Energy officials cut down the number of Front Range customers who may lose power during a wind storm on Wednesday from half a million to 52,000, according to a news release sent Tuesday afternoon.

The utility initially estimated up to 530,000 customers could lose power during a public safety power shutoff in Denver, Adams, Jefferson, Arapahoe, Douglas, Broomfield, Boulder, Larimer and Weld counties.

As of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Xcel officials said a precautionary power cut will likely start around 10 a.m. Wednesday, with most impacts to customers in the foothills, including Jefferson, Boulder, Clear Creek, Larimer and Weld counties.

“Risk assessments based on the latest forecast data and advanced modelling tool outputs, as well as recent improvements to grid infrastructure, have enabled us to reduce the size of the affected areas,” company leaders said in a statement.

Xcel power shut-offs ‘likely’ on Wednesday: What you need to know

Public safety power shutoffs are meant to reduce wildfire risks during critical fire weather conditions, which include high winds, warm temperatures and low humidity.

“Proactively shutting off power is not a step we take lightly,” the company stated on its website. “We consider weather, wind speeds, relative humidity, fuel moisture and temperature as well as critical customers and infrastructure before deciding to implement a PSPS.”

Strong winds are expected to develop across the Front Range mountains and foothills on Wednesday morning before spreading into the Eastern Plains, according to the National Weather Service. 

“Widespread wind gusts of 60-75 mph are likely, with a few gusts up to 90 mph possible in wind prone areas,” forecasters said Tuesday afternoon in a post on X. The strongest winds in metro Denver are expected between 1-5 p.m. Wednesday before spreading to the plains.

Wind gusts could reach 80 mph in Boulder, 75 mph in Golden, 50 mph in Denver, 45 mph in Castle Rock, 55 mph in Fort Collins and 65 mph in Colorado Springs, according to the weather service.

The highest sustained wind speeds could reach 46 mph in Boulder, 44 mph in Golden, 29 mph in Denver, 25 mph in Castle Rock, 32 mph in Fort Collins and 37 mph in Colorado Springs.

A high wind watch is in effect for the Eastern Plains as the system moves east, with gusts up to 65 mph possible Wednesday night, forecasters said.

The Front Range has seen a run of warm, dry weather over the last several weeks, including a recent 10-day stretch of record or near-record temperatures.

Denver tied the Dec. 15 record for daily high temperature at 68 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. That record was set in 1921.

The city could again break a record for daily high temperatures Friday, when the forecast high of 67 degrees would tie the Dec. 19 record set in 2023.

Denver weather: Monday’s high temps tie city record from 1921

If Xcel does pre-emptively cut power, it will be the second time the utility has done so in Colorado. In April 2024, Xcel shut off power to about 55,000 customers. An additional 250,000 lost power because of wind events, Xcel spokesperson Michelle Aguayo said.

Power restoration will begin after the high winds and fire danger subside, according to the utility’s website.

“Energy crews will restore power as quickly as safe conditions permit,” Xcel officials stated in a news release. “Xcel Energy’s top priority is protecting customers and communities.”

The timeline for restoration can range from several hours to several days, depending on the area, utility officials said. Crews need to patrol the entire line to ensure it’s safe before it can be re-energized.

Even if Xcel does not proactively shut off power, the utility still expects to implement what it calls “enhanced powerline safety settings” on Wednesday.