Xcel Energy is preparing to implement a public safety power shutoff for customers in Boulder County on Wednesday, December 17, beginning at around 10 a.m., in response to extreme fire risks. This initiative aims to prevent potential wildfires amid expected high winds that pose a significant threat across the region. The utility has revised its initial estimates and now anticipates that approximately 50,000 customers across Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties could be affected, a reduction from earlier projections. Notably, areas such as Longmont and Lyons will not be included in this shutoff.
Xcel issued a statement acknowledging that while the number of customers impacted by the planned shutoff has decreased considerably, unforeseen outages may still occur due to the anticipated high winds. Residents can check their status using Xcel’s outage map by entering their addresses.
Boulder’s Office of Disaster Management has urged residents to take precautionary measures, including charging essential devices and preparing for food, water, medications, and pet needs. The city has provided a preparation sheet on its website and encouraged residents to sign up for emergency alerts through bocoalert.org or the ReachWell app.
Residents dependent on medical equipment powered by electricity should have received notifications via Xcel’s Safe for Colorado program. This prepares the community for the potential implications of the outages, especially given its prior experiences with power shutoffs. For instance, in April 2024, Boulder faced significant disruption when Xcel shut off power to approximately 55,000 customers with little notice, leading to confusion and potential hazards.
Efforts have been made to ensure that critical facilities, including water and wastewater treatment plants, are equipped to handle such outages better. Joe Taddeucci, Boulder’s director of utilities, confirmed the city’s readiness to operate on backup power if needed.
Xcel has claimed to have improved its protocols for public safety power shutoffs since the prior incident, implementing better coordination with local emergency services and achieving clearer communication with affected facilities. A notable change in approach was reported by Frasier Meadows, a senior living community, which received advance notice days prior to the shutoff this time, allowing for better preparedness.
In addition to the public safety shutoff, Xcel will activate enhanced powerline safety settings, meaning powerlines could shut off more easily if impacted by high winds or debris even outside the designated outage areas. This could lead to prolonged outages as crews need to inspect powerlines post-event before restoration can occur.
Businesses across Boulder County are grappling with the implications of this planned shutoff. Owners are strategizing on how to maintain operations in light of potential power loss. Restaurants like Blackbelly are preparing for the worst, enacting measures to safeguard food supplies while managing operational costs.
As the community braces for the impact of the potential shutoff, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for much of Boulder County, predicting sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts potentially reaching between 65 and 85 mph. The forecast bears a resemblance to conditions preceding the devastating Marshall Fire in December 2021, which tragically resulted in loss of life and property.
With the expected critical weather conditions, Xcel has stated that it will provide additional updates, including a situation report on Wednesday morning. While the potential shutoff poses a significant challenge, the community is coming together to prepare and navigate these risks, highlighting resilience in the face of adversity.