Denver (January 16, 2025) – Xcel Energy is preparing for snow on Friday followed by extremely cold weather expected in Colorado beginning Saturday through Monday. Xcel Energy will monitor the weather and will have crews ready across the state beforehand to safely respond to power outages if they occur.
Cold weather can affect the production of and demand for natural gas, which Xcel Energy purchases to deliver to customers and to generate electricity, and that can result in price increases. If the cost of wholesale natural gas increases significantly, Xcel Energy will notify customers. As a reminder, Xcel Energy passes along the wholesale cost of natural gas to its customers, and it does not make a profit on the price increase.
Important Xcel Energy resources are below, including energy savings tips, cold weather safety preparedness tips, real-time power outage information and energy assistance.
Take steps to save
Customers can help minimize the extreme cold weather event’s impacts on their bills by reducing their energy use:
- Lower your thermostat a few degrees, ideally to 68 degrees or lower.
- Adjust your programmable thermostat to automatically lower the temperature while you are away or while you sleep.
- During daylight hours, open drapes and blinds to maximize heat from direct sunlight. To retain heat, keep them closed when it is dark.
- Run ceiling fans in a clockwise direction to push warm air down from the ceiling, adding comfort and savings.
- Keep interior doors open to help circulate air more freely and maintain constant heating levels.
- Xcel Energy offers a range of energy efficiency programs to help customers lower their energy use, and bills, available online at Xcel Energy Energy Efficiency Programs and Rebates.
- Find more ways to save on the energy savings tips page on our website and on YouTube.
How customers can prepare, stay safe
- Stay away from downed power lines. Always assume an electric line, even one that is on or near the ground, is energized and therefore dangerous. Never, under any circumstance, touch or move a downed power line. If you come across a downed power line, leave the area and report it immediately by calling 1-800-895-1999.
- Keep natural gas meters clear. Clearing snow and ice from natural gas meters is key to avoiding the potential for dangerous natural gas buildup indoors due to vents becoming sealed when covered in ice and snow. Xcel Energy strongly recommends keeping the entire meter assembly clear by gently removing snow or ice from the meter, associated piping and the roofline above the meter. Check often to ensure melting snow isn’t dripping on the meter from the roof or nearby trees. Use a shovel around a meter to move snow away; do not use a snowblower near a meter.
- Build a home emergency kit. Xcel Energy recommends assembling an easily accessible kit that can be used in the event of a power outage. Useful items may include:
- Xcel Energy phone numbers - 1-800-895-1999 for residential or 1-800-481-4700 for business
- Battery-powered radio or television
- Flashlights
- Batteries
- Back up phone chargers
- A phone that does not require electricity
- Non-electric alarm clock
- Bottled water and nonperishable 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)
- Heating safety. If using a space heater, take care to ensure safety as more than 65,000 home fires are attributed to heating equipment each year in the United States, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International. When using a space heater, make sure the heater has the label showing it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory, and read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels. Additionally, inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs and connections; don’t use it if they are frayed, worn or damaged. Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when leaving a room and don’t go to sleep with a space heater on. Additionally, Xcel Energy offers rebates and incentives to install energy efficient furnaces and insulation.
- Observe food safety. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food safety is directly related to the temperature of the food. To maintain refrigerator and freezer temperatures, keep doors closed as much as possible. A full freezer will stay at freezing temperatures for approximately two days and a half-full freezer approximately one day. Visit the USDA website for more information.
Stay informed
If outages occur, customers can stay informed by using the My Xcel Energy mobile app or Xcel Energy’s outage map, which displays where outages are located, the number of customers out of service and the anticipated time for restoration when possible.
Energy Assistance Available
Xcel Energy will always work with customers to provide options such as payment plans and assistance programs to get them through difficult times. If you’re facing challenges paying your energy bills, you are encouraged to contact Xcel Energy to set up a payment arrangement or learn more about assistance options that may be available. Learn more by visiting xcelenergy.com/EnergyAssistance or by calling 1-800-895-4999. You can also enroll in the Averaged Monthly Payment program to help make your monthly energy bills more predictable.