DENVER— (January 16, 2026)— Xcel Energy enacted a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) for around 9,000 customers in Larimer and Weld counties due to extreme wildfire danger. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for strong winds, with gusts up to 70 mph, low relative humidity, and extremely dry ground conditions. Combined with historically low snowpack, these conditions have created extreme wildfire risk.
Strong winds will heighten the risk of damage to power poles and may result in additional outages. Customers who are not expected to be part of the PSPS event may still experience outages due to the severe weather or Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS), which are active across affected areas. 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, to report their outage.
Xcel Energy utilizes weather forecasts and other data sources to help determine the best course of action to protect public safety. High winds, low relative humidity and dry ground conditions are key factors in risk models.
Preparing for Power Restoration
Weather conditions are expected to improve around 4 p.m. However, work to restore power won’t begin until high winds and elevated fire risks have subsided. It may take several hours to several days for customers’ power to be restored because a crew must patrol the entire power line to ensure it’s safe to turn service back on before a power line can be re-energized. The company expects many customers to be restored today, and the vast majority by Saturday.
Crew members from across Colorado will work extended 16-hour shifts overnight Friday into Saturday to restore power as quickly and safely as possible. Work will continue around the clock until power is restored. As crews begin restoring power to those affected by today’s severe weather and PSPS event, please remember to give them the space they need to do their job safely and efficiently. Customers are encouraged to report any damage they see to power lines, stay clear of downed lines, and to report their outage.
Outages will likely occur outside of areas impacted by the PSPS due to the high winds associated with this weather. This may impact restoration times.
Xcel Energy recognizes a significant number of customers are likely to experience an outage, and that such events are highly disruptive. The company’s goal is to limit the impact of a PSPS event as much as possible while effectively managing high wildfire risk. Xcel Energy will continue to communicate updates through the event including outage and restoration information. Customers can look up their address online to find out whether they may be subject to a PSPS event.
Report an Outage
Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages and are encouraged to also report any damage to power lines that they see. They should also stay away from any downed power lines and broken power poles and contact Xcel Energy.
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.
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.
How customers can prepare, 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.
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.
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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.