DENVER— (January 17, 2026)— Around 9:30 p.m. Friday, crews finished restoring power to all Xcel Energy customers impacted by the Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in northern Colorado. Crews continue to work Saturday morning to restore outages caused by Friday’s severe weather, and that work is expected to be complete Saturday.  

A severe weather system, which included wind gusts exceeding 65 miles per hour, created extreme wildfire risk and prompted Xcel Energy to implement a PSPS in Larimer and Weld counties Friday morning to reduce the risk of wildfire. Strong winds also led to thousands of unplanned outages for customers outside of the area included in the PSPS.

Once conditions were safe, hundreds of crew members and contractors from across Colorado were dispatched to inspect power lines, make repairs and restore power as quickly and safely as possible.

“We are grateful for the swift work of our crew members, contractors and community partners,” said Robert Kenney, president, Xcel Energy – Colorado. “We also appreciate our customers’ patience and support as we work to protect the safety of communities and decrease the risk of wildfire.”

 Xcel Energy recognizes that power outages can be highly disruptive. The company is continually investing in and building out systems to reduce future wildfire risk and limit the size, scale and duration of potential power disruptions.

Customers are still encouraged to report any damage, such as downed power lines and broken poles to Xcel Energy, and to stay clear.

Report Outages, Damage  

Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages through the following ways:   

  • 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.   

Event updates and tips to prepare, stay safe, report outages and stay informed when severe weather strikes can be found on the Xcel Energy Event Update webpage.

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.  

Public Safety Power Shutoff, Wildfire Mitigation  

 PSPS events reduce the risk of wildfires and protect public safety. Xcel Energy uses weather forecasts and other data sources to decide how to best protect the customers and communities it serves. Key factors in calling for a PSPS event include high winds, low relative humidity and dry ground conditions and all are present today.  

Customers who live in areas where power lines are underground, or do not see damage in their immediate area, can still be impacted by a PSPS or power outage due to how their neighborhood connects to the larger grid.  

Xcel Energy is continually investing in and building out its systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale, and duration of potential power disruptions. Since beginning its Wildfire Mitigation work in 2020, the company has invested in system improvements including the following improvements made in 2024: 

  • Replacing 8,337 distribution poles   
  • Inspecting 18,740 distribution poles   
  • Inspecting 2,832 miles of transmission lines   
  • Completing 345 priority repairs on transmission equipment   
  • Installing 18 substation protection relays   

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About Xcel Energy    

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider, dedicated to serving millions of customers with excellence. We make energy work better for customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar — delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient and sustainable energy.  

We are committed to leading the clean energy transition, meeting our customers’ need for more cleaner power, while keeping bills as low as possible. Because the people we serve depend on us to power their lives.  

Headquartered in Minneapolis, we work every day to generate and distribute electricity and gas to customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on X and Facebook.