CRITICAL ALERT: Xcel Energy Public Safety Power Shutoff Event Update
December 15, 2025
Xcel Energy reports to us that they are closely monitoring and preparing for a strong wind event forecast to begin Wednesday, December 17, along the Front Range.
We are issuing this critical alert to Boulder Chamber members regarding Xcel Energy's Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) Event.
The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for this weather event. Wildfire risk is expected to increase, and strong winds heighten the risk of power line damage, potentially resulting in outages.
To reduce the risk of wildfire and support public safety, Xcel Energy is planning for a likely PSPS beginning on Wednesday, December 17, around 10 a.m., impacting about 50,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties.Â
Customers can look up their address on our outage map to find out if they may be affected by this PSPS event.
Hundreds of Xcel Energy crew members and contractors are positioned along the Front Range, ready to restore power due to a PSPS, as well as any other outages caused by high winds. Customers are encouraged to report any damage they see to power lines, stay clear of downed lines, and, if they are outside the PSPS area, report their outage.
Weather conditions necessitating a PSPS are expected to start improving around 6 p.m. Wednesday, though high winds that may create wildfire risk and cause outages are expected to continue through Friday. Xcel Energy stresses that those who are not expected to be part of the PSPS may still experience outages or disruptions due to the high winds associated with this dangerous weather event.
We are thankful to Xcel Energy for working with the Boulder Chamber, The Downtown Boulder Partnership, and the City of Boulder Office of Disaster Management to minimize the impact on our commercial areas as much as possible, while maintaining appropriate emphasis on public safety.Â
You can stay updated on the outage and Xcel Energy information below.
How Customers Can Prepare and Stay Safe
Stay Informed
Xcel Energy will provide updates for this specific weather event on its website. Customers can check the outage map for up-to-date information on outages and estimated restorations times, when available. They should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date in My Account.
Customers can also stay informed by following Xcel Energy on Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter.
Build A Home Emergency Kit
Customers are encouraged 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
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. We are continually investing in and building out our systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale, and duration of potential power disruptions. More tips for how to prepare for an outage are available here.
Report an Outage
Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. Customers have several ways to report outages:
- Through the Xcel Energy mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and through Google Play.
- Online at xcelenergy.com/out
- Via text by texting OUT to 98936 to report an outage, or text  STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage
- By calling 1-800-895-1999 and following the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds.