Xcel Energy Issues Warning: Possible Electricity Shutoff in Colorado Due to High Winds and Fire Danger
December 15, 2025, 4:56 p.m. MT
Xcel Energy is alerting its customers in Colorado to a potential electricity shutoff later this week due to high winds and fire danger. The utility is considering a planned shutoff starting at noon on December 17, which could last for several hours or even several days.
The National Weather Service predicts high winds, particularly in the mountains and foothills, following a cold front on December 17. This forecast, coupled with dry conditions and record-breaking warm temperatures over the past several weeks, poses a significant wildfire risk, according to Xcel's notification (https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-safety/wildfires/power-shutoffs/event-update).
Xcel is taking this action to prevent potential damage to power lines caused by strong winds, which could lead to widespread outages. The utility encourages customers, especially those with medical equipment that relies on electricity, to prepare for the possibility of a shutoff.
Understanding the Impact
Xcel Energy serves approximately 1.6 million customers in Colorado, with many residing outside Fort Collins and Loveland in Larimer County. The shutoff will affect Xcel customers, excluding those who receive electricity from Fort Collins Utilities or City of Loveland Utilities.
Xcel has provided an outage map (https://co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-safety/outage-map) to help customers understand the potential impact. As the wind event approaches, Xcel plans to notify potentially affected customers.
Duration of Outage
Restoring power after a shutoff can take a few hours or several days, according to Xcel. This extended timeframe is necessary for crews to inspect and repair damaged power lines before they can be safely re-energized.
Enhanced Safety Measures
Xcel will implement "Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS)," making power lines more sensitive and capable of stopping electricity flow if issues like tree branches touching the lines are detected, as per the notification.
Preparing for the Outage
To prepare for a power outage, Xcel recommends having a kit with essential items, including:
- Battery-powered radio or television
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Portable charger
- Phone that does not require electricity
- Nonelectric alarm clock
- Bottled water and nonperishable food
- Manual can opener
- First aid kit
- Extension cords for partial outages
- Manufacturer's instructions for manually opening power-operated doors
Source: Xcel Energy
