Xcel considering enacting a Public Safety Power Shutoff Sat, March 14

Published on March 12, 2026

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DENVER — (March 12, 2026) — As crews address power outages caused by today’s high winds, Xcel Energy is monitoring and preparing for forecasted severe weather with high winds, low humidity, severe drought and extremely dry ground fuel conditions along much of the Front Range on Saturday, March 14 that will create critical fire weather conditions and may lead to power outages.

Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, the company is using Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) and is also evaluating whether a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) will be needed for some customers in Boulder and Jefferson counties on Saturday.

The National Weather Service has issued Red Flag Warning through 9 p.m. today, and through 8 p.m. Friday, with a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday. Colorado is experiencing dangerous winds and low relative humidity today, though the conditions did not meet Xcel Energy’s criteria for a PSPS. Wildfire risk is high, and strong winds have damaged power lines and poles, resulting in outages. As of 4 p.m., 18,000 customers are without power, primarily in Fort Collins, Evergreen and Boulder. Crews will continue to work to restore power as quickly and safely as possible as severe conditions subside.

Despite last week’s snowfall, drought and dry fuels persist, coupled with high winds and historically low snowpack. The warm temperatures and high wind quickly melted snow and dried out vegetation, increasing the risk of fast-spreading wildfires.

Wildfire risk is expected to remain high through the end of the week and into the weekend, and strong winds heighten the likelihood of damage to power lines and may result in outages. These weather conditions are expected to peak on Saturday.

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings and Public Safety Power Shutoffs are important ways Xcel Energy reduces wildfire risk and keeps customers safe. It’s important to note that high winds can also trigger unplanned outages.

 

Xcel Energy activated Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) along much of the Front Range to mitigate against wildfire hazard conditions. These settings will remain active through the end of the week and into the weekend.

  • When EPSS is activated, power lines are more sensitive and can instantly stop the flow of energy if an issue is detected, like a tree branch or other object touching the line.
  • These settings do not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power. If there is an outage while these settings are activated, it is the result of an issue on the power line.
  • Power will remain off until our crews can visually inspect power lines to make sure it is safe to turn them back on. This may mean that if an outage occurs, it could last longer. Learn more about Xcel Energy’s power restoration process through this link.

The company 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 fuel conditions are key factors in risk models. Models are regularly updated, and operations are adjusted accordingly to reduce wildfire risk.

 

Xcel Energy is raising awareness and encouraging customers to prepare for potential wildfires and power outages now. The company will provide an update on weather conditions and wildfire mitigation efforts Friday.

  • Please review your contact information and preferences in My Account and update them if needed.
  • If you use medical equipment that relies on electricity, consider signing up for our Safe for Colorado program, which provides extra support to residents with qualifying medical conditions.

As an important reminder to customers who have medical equipment that relies on electric service, please take steps to prepare a backup power supply in case outages do occur.

 

How customers can prepare, stay safe

Stay Informed

If outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most up to date information about our restoration efforts. Customers should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date in My Account. They can check the status of an outage on the Xcel Energy statewide outage map, which displays the number of customers experiencing outages and anticipated restoration times.

 

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

Xcel Energy is continually investing in the electric systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale, and duration of potential power disruptions. Our website includes more tips for how to prepare for an outage.

 

Report an Outage

Customers can help get a jump on restoring power by reporting outages. 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.
  • By texting OUT to 98936 to report an outage, or STAT 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.

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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, NorthDakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas.

 

For more information, visit xcelenergy.com or follow us on X and Facebook.

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