Xcel Energy monitoring and preparing for potential Public Safety Power Shutoff this week

[Ramirez, Grace L]

Good Morning,

 

Xcel Energy is closely monitoring the potential and preparing for a strong wind event forecast to start Wednesday, December 17th. Very dry conditions over the last several weeks and a recent stretch of 10 days of near record warm temperatures will create the potential for a critical wildfire weather environment.

 

Because of the wind and dry conditions, some customers may experience power outages. Xcel Energy crews will be on standby to quickly restore power for customers safely if an outage occurs. Xcel Energy’s top priority is protecting customers and communities and is committed to taking any necessary steps while also communicating quickly and clearly with customers on evolving weather conditions.

 

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings are expected to be activated; Public Safety Power Shutoff being assessed for Wednesday, Dec. 17

 

Xcel Energy utilizes weather forecasts and other data sources to help us 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. Models are regularly updated, and operations are adjusted accordingly to reduce wildfire risk.

 

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) and Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) are important ways Xcel Energy reduces wildfire risk and keeps customers safe.

EPSS allows for power lines to remain in service during periods of elevated wildfire risk, with additional protection settings enabled. In a PSPS event, power is proactively shut off for safety. This is not a step the company takes lightly.

 

Both EPSS and PSPS are only used when temperature, wind speed, relative humidity and other available fuel sources indicate a high risk for wildfire. Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, Xcel Energy expects to activate Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS).

 

·       When EPSS are 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.

 

A Public Safety Power Shutoff is a risk mitigation option where power is shut off to a targeted area for a limited time when wildfire risks are extremely high and other methods like EPSS are not enough for public safety. Xcel Energy will notify customers who may be affected if a PSPS becomes necessary. Currently, we are evaluating the potential need for a PSPS on Wednesday, Dec. 17.

 

The company thanks customers for their patience and understanding as it continues to take steps to reduce wildfire risk and keep communities safe. Customers are encouraged to make plans now to be ready for potential power outages later this week from this severe weather. As with all weather events, the forecast may change. 

 

How customers can prepare, stay safe:

 

Stay Informed 

Xcel Energy will provide updates for this specific weather event on its website.

 

If outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most up to date information about our restoration efforts. Customer should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date in MyAccount.   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  

 

 

Medical Critical Customers

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. Xcel Energy will be contacting qualifying medical customers in the area directly to inform them about forecasted severe weather and potential impacts.

 

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. More tips for how to prepare for an outage are available here. 

 

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.

 

Please let us know if you have any questions. Thank you.

Grace Lopez Ramirez 

Pronouns: She/her/ella

Xcel Energy 
Senior Area Manager, Local Government & Community Affairs
3500 Blake Street, 4th floor, Denver, CO 80205
C: 303.877.8173
E: grace.l...@xcelenergy.com

[Rodvik, Hans]

Good morning all,

 

I am currently on paternity leave. My colleague Grace Ramirez is covering for me, which is why you received the email below from her.

 

I wanted to follow up and provide some additional details. Xcel is currently tracking a serious wind event expected for Wednesday, 12/17/25. See the attached press release we sent out to media partners this morning. Current weather models show an area of concern covering the entire front range area between Larimer and Weld Counties. We are actively analyzing the need for a Public Safety Power Shutoff impacting your community on 12/17/25 beginning around noon. If this PSPS is needed, it may take several hours to several days for customers’ power to be restored because a crew must patrol power lines to ensure they’re safe to be re-energized.

 

We are actively communicating with possibly impacted customers, and will continue to provide further details in coming hours as the scope of this potential PSPS is refined. Our website and social media pages will have the latest information to share publicly with your communities.

 

Thank you all.

 

Hans Rodvik
Xcel Energy 
Area Manager, Community Relations and Local Government Affairs
1500 6^th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631
C: 907-947-4784
E: hans....@xcelenergy.com

[Rodvik, Hans]

Good evening all, 

Please see the attached press release. This is the latest information as of this evening around 4pm. See updated info below pertaining to the event. I expect to have further information to share tomorrow about the scope and locations of the areas we might be turning power off to on 12/17/25. We continue to run models and weather forecasts, and our operations/executive leadership teams are refining the scope of this possible PSPS. 

Thank you all. 

• We continue to closely monitor and prepare for a strong wind event and likely Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) in Colorado forecast to start Wednesday, Dec. 17, along the Front Range. 
• Very dry conditions over the last several weeks and a recent stretch of 10 days of near-record warm temperatures will create the potential for a critical wildfire weather environment.  
• Wildfire risk is expected to increase, and strong winds heighten risk of damage to our power lines and may result in outages. 
• To reduce the risk of wildfire and support public safety, we are planning for a likely PSPS beginning on Dec. 17 around 12 noon, impacting customers in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties. Weather conditions are expected to improve around 6 p.m. Wednesday. 
• Restoring outages from a significant weather event or PSPS may take several hours to several days. This is because crews must inspect power lines and repair damage before they can be safely re-energized. 
• The impacted areas and number of customers affected may continue to change as weather conditions evolve and our teams refine the scope of the PSPS event. Our goal is to limit the impact of a PSPS event as much as possible while effectively managing high wildfire risk. 
• Customers in Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties can look up their address on our outage map to find out if they may be affected by this PSPS event. 
• Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) will also be activated along the Front Range. This means power lines are more sensitive and can stop the flow of electricity if an issue, like a tree branch touching the line, is detected. This helps improve public safety during heightened risk conditions.   
• Xcel Energy will continue to reach out to potentially affected customers as the forecasted weather event approaches, and we will update customers throughout the weather event with outage and restoration information. 
• We plan to share a further update about the potential for a PSPS event on Monday, Dec. 15. We will continue to work to communicate directly with customers who may be affected.   
• We encourage customers to plan for potential power outages later this week due to weather, especially those who have medical equipment that relies on electricity. More tips for how to prepare for an outage are available on our website.  
• To help ensure you receive timely updates, please make sure your communications preferences are up to date by logging on to My Account.  
• Please know the forecast may change and we will provide updates as needed.

Hans Rodvik
Xcel Energy 
Area Manager, Community Relations and Local Government Affairs
1500 6^th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631
C: 907-947-4784
E: hans....@xcelenergy.com

 

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From: Rodvik, Hans <Hans....@xcelenergy.com>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2025 9:51 AM
To: Ramirez, Grace L <Grace.L...@xcelenergy.com>; jshadduc...@larimer.org <jshadduc...@larimer.org>; jkef...@larimer.org <jkef...@larimer.org>; kste...@larimer.org <kste...@larimer.org>; lori....@larimer.gov <lori....@larimer.gov>; kohl.p...@larimer.gov <kohl.p...@larimer.gov>; vol...@larimer.org <vol...@larimer.org>; kadr...@larimer.org <kadr...@larimer.org>; reve...@larimer.org <reve...@larimer.org>; harr...@co.larimer.co.us <harr...@co.larimer.co.us>; richar...@cityofloveland.org <richar...@cityofloveland.org>; patrick...@cityofloveland.org <patrick...@cityofloveland.org>; john....@cityofloveland.org <john....@cityofloveland.org>; marc....@cityofloveland.org <marc....@cityofloveland.org>; Jacki...@cityofloveland.org <Jacki...@cityofloveland.org>; dana....@cityofloveland.org <dana....@cityofloveland.org>; steve...@cityofloveland.org <steve...@cityofloveland.org>; don.ov...@cityofloveland.org <don.ov...@cityofloveland.org>; andrea...@cityofloveland.org <andrea...@cityofloveland.org>; tim....@cityofloveland.org <tim....@cityofloveland.org>; rod.w...@cityofloveland.org <rod.w...@cityofloveland.org>; jon....@cityofloveland.org <jon....@cityofloveland.org>; sharon...@cityofloveland.org <sharon...@cityofloveland.org>; jim.th...@cityofloveland.org <jim.th...@cityofloveland.org>; jar...@fcgov.com <jar...@fcgov.com>; tcan...@fcgov.com <tcan...@fcgov.com>; kdima...@fcgov.com <kdima...@fcgov.com>; efra...@fcgov.com <efra...@fcgov.com>; sgut...@fcgov.com <sgut...@fcgov.com>; ak...@fcgov.com <ak...@fcgov.com>; koh...@fcgov.com <koh...@fcgov.com>; sp...@fcgov.com <sp...@fcgov.com>; jpign...@fcgov.com <jpign...@fcgov.com>; tm...@fcgov.com <tm...@fcgov.com>; dd...@fcgov.com <dd...@fcgov.com>; dken...@fcgov.com <dken...@fcgov.com>; rpi...@fcgov.com <rpi...@fcgov.com>; e...@fcgov.com <e...@fcgov.com>; smu...@berthoud.org <smu...@berthoud.org>; tha...@berthoud.org <tha...@berthoud.org>; bw...@berthoud.org <bw...@berthoud.org>; kay...@berthoud.org <kay...@berthoud.org>; kkn...@berthoud.org <kkn...@berthoud.org>; wkar...@berthoud.org <wkar...@berthoud.org>; joli...@berthoud.org <joli...@berthoud.org>; CK...@berthoud.org <CK...@berthoud.org>; malb...@berthoud.org <malb...@berthoud.org>; lwa...@timnathgov.com <lwa...@timnathgov.com>; bha...@timnathgov.com <bha...@timnathgov.com>; aad...@timnathgov.com <aad...@timnathgov.com>; lla...@timnathgov.com <lla...@timnathgov.com>; raxm...@timnathgov.com <raxm...@timnathgov.com>; mso...@timnathgov.com <mso...@timnathgov.com>; gait...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <gait...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; gowi...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <gowi...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; chau...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <chau...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; houg...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <houg...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; garc...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <garc...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; mas...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <mas...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; dail...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <dail...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; mas...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <mas...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; macd...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <macd...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; wieg...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <wieg...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>
Cc: Doyle, Tiernan <Tierna...@xcelenergy.com>
Subject: RE: Xcel Energy monitoring and preparing for potential Public Safety Power Shutoff this week

[Rodvik, Hans]

Good morning all, 

Please see the updated press release for this morning (there's typo in the date, but it's for 12/16).  

We are continuing to monitor this significant weather event, and strong likelihood for a PSPS event impacting Larimer County, tomorrow 12/17/25 beginning around noon. 

We are continuing to refine the scope of this event, and are trying to narrow down the number of customers and communities impacted by the PSPS. Customers will be receiving messaging and updates from Xcel this morning, this afternoon, and tomorrow morning prior to the event. 

We are working to provide a scoping update this afternoon, which will then be published to the public facing Customer Outage map, found here. This will help inform customers and communities if they are in the area we intend to proactively de-energize power lines. 

Even if your community falls outside of the scope of the PSPS, we are encouraging everyone to prepare for outages given the significance of the weather event. We will have our power lines in Enhanced Safety Settings, making it more likely for outages to occur as we try to prevent sparking a fire. 

More to come. Thank you all!

Hans Rodvik
Xcel Energy 
Area Manager, Community Relations and Local Government Affairs
1500 6^th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631
C: 907-947-4784
E: hans....@xcelenergy.com

 

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From: Rodvik, Hans <Hans....@xcelenergy.com>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2025 5:12 PM

To: Ramirez, Grace L <Grace.L...@xcelenergy.com>; jshadduc...@larimer.org <jshadduc...@larimer.org>; jkef...@larimer.org <jkef...@larimer.org>; kste...@larimer.org <kste...@larimer.org>; lori....@larimer.gov <lori....@larimer.gov>; kohl.p...@larimer.gov <kohl.p...@larimer.gov>; vol...@larimer.org <vol...@larimer.org>; kadr...@larimer.org <kadr...@larimer.org>; reve...@larimer.org <reve...@larimer.org>; harr...@co.larimer.co.us <harr...@co.larimer.co.us>; richar...@cityofloveland.org <richar...@cityofloveland.org>; patrick...@cityofloveland.org <patrick...@cityofloveland.org>; john....@cityofloveland.org <john....@cityofloveland.org>; marc....@cityofloveland.org <marc....@cityofloveland.org>; Jacki...@cityofloveland.org <Jacki...@cityofloveland.org>; dana....@cityofloveland.org <dana....@cityofloveland.org>; steve...@cityofloveland.org <steve...@cityofloveland.org>; don.ov...@cityofloveland.org <don.ov...@cityofloveland.org>; andrea...@cityofloveland.org <andrea...@cityofloveland.org>; tim....@cityofloveland.org <tim....@cityofloveland.org>; rod.w...@cityofloveland.org <rod.w...@cityofloveland.org>; jon....@cityofloveland.org <jon....@cityofloveland.org>; sharon...@cityofloveland.org <sharon...@cityofloveland.org>; jim.th...@cityofloveland.org <jim.th...@cityofloveland.org>; jar...@fcgov.com <jar...@fcgov.com>; tcan...@fcgov.com <tcan...@fcgov.com>; kdima...@fcgov.com <kdima...@fcgov.com>; efra...@fcgov.com <efra...@fcgov.com>; sgut...@fcgov.com <sgut...@fcgov.com>; ak...@fcgov.com <ak...@fcgov.com>; koh...@fcgov.com <koh...@fcgov.com>; sp...@fcgov.com <sp...@fcgov.com>; jpign...@fcgov.com <jpign...@fcgov.com>; tm...@fcgov.com <tm...@fcgov.com>; dd...@fcgov.com <dd...@fcgov.com>; dken...@fcgov.com <dken...@fcgov.com>; rpi...@fcgov.com <rpi...@fcgov.com>; e...@fcgov.com <e...@fcgov.com>; smu...@berthoud.org <smu...@berthoud.org>; tha...@berthoud.org <tha...@berthoud.org>; bw...@berthoud.org <bw...@berthoud.org>; kay...@berthoud.org <kay...@berthoud.org>; kkn...@berthoud.org <kkn...@berthoud.org>; wkar...@berthoud.org <wkar...@berthoud.org>; joli...@berthoud.org <joli...@berthoud.org>; CK...@berthoud.org <CK...@berthoud.org>; malb...@berthoud.org <malb...@berthoud.org>; lwa...@timnathgov.com <lwa...@timnathgov.com>; bha...@timnathgov.com <bha...@timnathgov.com>; aad...@timnathgov.com <aad...@timnathgov.com>; lla...@timnathgov.com <lla...@timnathgov.com>; raxm...@timnathgov.com <raxm...@timnathgov.com>; mso...@timnathgov.com <mso...@timnathgov.com>; gait...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <gait...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; gowi...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <gowi...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; chau...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <chau...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; houg...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <houg...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; garc...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <garc...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; mas...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <mas...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; dail...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <dail...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; mas...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <mas...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; macd...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <macd...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>; wieg...@wellingtoncolorado.gov <wieg...@wellingtoncolorado.gov>
Cc: Doyle, Tiernan <Tierna...@xcelenergy.com>

Subject: Re: Xcel Energy monitoring and preparing for potential Public Safety Power Shutoff this week