Xcel Energy Sparks Widespread Power Outage in Colorado

By John Pranay (Editor)

A severe wind power outage has left thousands without electricity in Colorado, USA. The high wind warning expired at 8 p.m. on Friday, but critical fire weather conditions remain, prompting Xcel Energy to carry out a planned public safety power shutoff. The outage has affected over 88,000 customers, with some areas experiencing wind gusts of up to 112 mph.

The situation began on December 17, when extreme winds and critically dry conditions swept across the Front Range, prompting Xcel Energy to implement a planned power shutoff to reduce wildfire risk. The first shutoff affected tens of thousands of Boulder County residents, with thousands more losing power during the wind event itself. A second shutoff went into effect on December 19, leaving thousands without power, with some areas experiencing wind gusts of over 100 mph. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has been pressed by residents to require Xcel to develop a binding plan for undergrounding power lines.

• December 17: Extreme winds and critically dry conditions sweep across the Front Range, prompting Xcel Energy to implement a planned power shutoff to reduce wildfire risk.

• December 17: Tens of thousands of Boulder County residents lose power during the first shutoff.

• December 17: Thousands more lose power during the wind event itself, as Xcel operates the grid under enhanced safety settings.

• December 19: A second shutoff goes into effect, leaving thousands without power.

• December 19: Wind gusts of over 100 mph are reported in Boulder, with a peak gust of 113 mph recorded at the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

• December 20: Thousands of residents remain without power, with some areas experiencing restoration delays.

The outage has had a significant humanitarian impact, with thousands of residents left without power, food, and medications. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has been pressed by residents to require Xcel to develop a binding plan for undergrounding power lines. The utility has promised to contact customers directly with up-to-date restoration information, but many residents have reported limited or inconsistent communication.

The power outage highlights the need for long-term wildfire risk solutions, such as burying power lines, installing microgrids, and hardening the grid. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has been pressed by residents to require Xcel to develop a binding plan for undergrounding power lines. The outage also raises questions about the frequency and effectiveness of planned power shutoffs, and whether the utility and elected officials are moving quickly enough to address these issues.

Xcel Energy has promised to contact customers directly with up-to-date restoration information, but many residents have reported limited or inconsistent communication. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has been pressed by residents to require Xcel to develop a binding plan for undergrounding power lines. The utility has also been criticized for the frequency and effectiveness of planned power shutoffs. As the restoration process continues, residents and officials will be watching closely to see if Xcel can meet its promises and provide reliable service.

This series of power outages suggests that Colorado's utility companies are struggling to keep pace with the state's growing wildfire risk. While Xcel Energy's planned power shutoffs may have reduced the risk of catastrophic wildfires, they have also left thousands without power and raised questions about the frequency and effectiveness of these measures. Crucially, this overlooks the need for long-term solutions, such as burying power lines and installing microgrids, which could provide a more reliable and resilient grid. As the state continues to grapple with the challenges of wildfire risk, it is clear that a more comprehensive approach is needed to ensure the safety and reliability of its power grid.

On balance, this event screens as Neutral in our sentiment view.

1. Colorado weather blog: High wind warning expires, fire danger remains — https://www.denver7.com/weather/colorado-weather-blog-thousands-of-xcel-customers-without-power-as-strong-winds-return-to-the-front-range

2. Live updates on wind in Colorado: Thousands without power — https://www.coloradoan.com/story/news/2025/12/18/live-updates-as-powerful-wind-continues-in-colorado-on-dec-18-xcel/87824630007/

3. After two Xcel power shutoffs in a week, thousands in Boulder remain without power as questions mount — https://boulderreportinglab.org/2025/12/19/after-two-xcel-wildfire-related-power-shutoffs-in-a-week-boulder-weathers-the-latest-test-but-bigger-questions-loom/

Methodology: This analysis combines real-time data aggregation from manually selected global sources with advanced AI synthesis, engineered to provide neutral and data-driven insights.