UPDATES: Xcel Energy Public Safety Power Shutoff — Claims Update
December 15, 2025
Updated December 22, 12:00 p.m.
Claims Services Policy and Process Information.
We understand that you have experienced a loss and that you believe we may be responsible for that loss.
Updated December 19, 12:30 p.m.
Due to extreme winds and critically dry conditions that match or exceed those of Wednesday’s event, Xcel Energy has implemented a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) for customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties on Friday, December 19.
Weather conditions are now expected to improve between 8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Friday, though high winds may persist beyond 10:00 p.m. and could cause additional outages.
Our contacts at Xcel note that restoration activity cannot begin until conditions improve, and some customers may experience extended outages lasting hours to several days as crews work to restore service.
The National Weather Service has also issued a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) alert associated with today’s Red Flag Warning in Colorado, indicating an unusually high level of risk.
Members are encouraged to monitor Xcel’s Outage Map for the most up-to-date restoration information.
Please also note that unplanned outages outside of the PSPS area remain possible due to high winds and enhanced powerline safety settings. Xcel states it will continue providing updates throughout the day, and outage preparedness tips are available on its website.
The Boulder Chamber will continue to work with the City of Boulder and Xcel Energy, along with our other business partners, to mitigate the impacts of this planned power outage. We will also be working to capture a clear understanding of the full economic impact of this on our businesses and the economy, so we can better assess resource allocation and investment trade-offs as we work to prevent these types of power outages in the future.
Restoration
Restoring power can be a lengthy process. Once conditions are safe, crews must deploy to impacted power lines, inspect them for damage, and make repairs before they can be safely re-energized. Conducting inspections and making repairs prior to re-energization is absolutely critical to protect public safety and prevent wildfires.
As crews begin to restore power, please remember to give them the space they need to do their job safely and efficiently.
Xcel Energy encourages you to check for damage to the mast – the electric service connection to your home. If there are damages to the mast, a licensed electrician must make repairs before service can be restored.
Resources
Resource centers with phone charging and other home emergency supplies will be available to customers in some communities.
- Evergreen Fire Station – 1802 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen, CO 80439 (Open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
- Gilpin County School – 10595 Highway 119, Black Hawk, CO 80422 (Open Until Further Notice)
- Wellspring Catholic Academy – 1100 Upham St., Lakewood (Open from 3 p.m. until further notice)
- Health and Wellness Center – 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs (Open Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Xcel Energy’s RED Trucks are staged at resource centers to provide support and information to customers. Individuals who need food assistance can use the Find Food Map to find a Hunger Relief Partner in communities across Colorado.
December 15
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.
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.
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.