#xcel
Colorado Gov Jared Polis (D) has some strong words for Xcel Energy's handling of pre-emptive power outages. In fact, some of the same strong words Polis used the last time Xcel did this.
December 20, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Reminder: Xcel has its own team of meteorologists that know their equipment.

I/we (TV, NWS meteorologists) don't factor into their decision-making.

#COwx
December 19, 2025 at 7:22 PM
About 85,000 Xcel customers don't have power tonight. Some haven't had power for days and might not have power for days more.

A widower told us he doesn't like to leave his home. It's filled with memories of his wife. But he couldn't take the cold. @spencersoicher.bsky.social reports:
December 20, 2025 at 3:41 AM
“.. Nearly 100,000 Coloradans have lost power as of 10:25 a.m., according to Xcel Energy's outage map, and more planned outages may happen Friday. If Xcel implements another outage Friday, some could be without power for more than 3 days.”

@denverpost.com
www.denverpost.com/2025/12/17/x...
December 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
NEW: Colorado Gov Jared Polis (D) says Xcel Energy must provide "clearer communication" and "more transparency" about days of pre-emptive blackouts designed to avoid wildfires.

"I plan to address my concerns with the utility after the current weather systems resolve," Polis said
December 19, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Foggy sunrise on a day with no power. We may be without power until Sunday 10 pm (based on hearsay). I’m angry because no communication from Xcel and me mother needs oxygen and sleep apnea machine.
December 20, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Final update for the day from me: Xcel showing about 87,000 in Colorado without power, at least 21,000 in #Boulder County
December 20, 2025 at 4:39 AM
NEW: Xcel Energy says it will preemptively shut off power to 50,000 customers in Colorado at 10AM due to extreme winds and fire danger.

Xcel now says similar conditions on Friday may result in some customers being without power for three days. co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-saf...
December 17, 2025 at 2:35 PM
NEW: Xcel Energy plans for second shut-off as thousands of Coloradans remain without power

coloradosun.com/2025/12/18/c...
Xcel Energy plans for second shut-off as thousands of Coloradans remain without power
Windstorm blowing through Colorado expected to last a few more days as Xcel Energy responds to power outages and shut-off
coloradosun.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Xcel just significantly narrowed the PSPS zones for tomorrow to include mostly the west metro area and a few areas southeast of Fort Collins and between Loveland and Longmont. Xcel says 52k customers affected.

Detailed map here: co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-saf...

#COwx
Xcel Energy
co.my.xcelenergy.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Xcel Energy is warning it may preemptively shut off power to 50k Coloradans on Wednesday due to extreme winds and wildfire risk. Legal experts tell @spencersoicher that Xcel's decision is driven by public safety and potential liability.
December 17, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Xcel kills power for 69,000 as NWS issues ‘particularly dangerous situation’ red flag warning trib.al/gdd4VQF
Nearly 100,000 across Colorado lose power due to wind, planned Xcel shut-offs that could take several days to restore
It could take crews several days to restore power that’s shut off Friday, Xcel said, as “crews must inspect power lines and repair damage before they can be safely re-energized.”
trib.al
December 19, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Xcel Energy is shutting off power to about 50,000 customers today in Colorado due to high winds and a red flag warning.
co.my.xcelenergy.com/s/outage-saf...
December 17, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Xcel Energy will begin shutting off electricity for about 50,000 customers in Colorado on Wednesday morning to lessen the risk that high winds will topple power lines and start fires.
Colorado Shutoffs Have Potential to Leave Some in Dark for Days
Xcel Energy will begin shutting off electricity for about 50,000 customers in Colorado on Wednesday morning to lessen the risk that high winds will topple power lines and start fires.
bloom.bg
December 17, 2025 at 8:00 PM
This is Xcel Energy's map showing where along the Front Range foothills the utility likely will turn off power during Wednesday's windstorm to prevent wildfires
December 17, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Happening where I live: Colorado has had an essentially snowless winter so far, we're looking at hurricane force dry wind, they're setting up center for folks w/out power, and Xcel is cutting power to prevent fires.
Meanwhile the Trump Administration wants to eliminate NCAR for 'climate alarmism'.
Updates as I’m getting them:
December 19, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Xcel: “hey your power is gonna get shut off cause wind” x4 over the last 48 hours (multiple texts, a call & voicemail, an email, and a push notification)

Xcel at 7:30p tonight: “sike! your area won’t be affected.” 😒
December 17, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Yes, we are asking Xcel to bury all high voltage power lines throughout all of Colorado. And for that cost to be first paid for with Xcel’s annual >$1 billion net income that it has taken in over the past 10 consecutive years.

www.macrotrends.net/stocks/chart...
Xcel Energy Net Income 2011-2025 | XEL
Xcel Energy annual/quarterly net income history and growth rate from 2011 to 2025. Net income can be defined as company's net profit or loss after all revenues, income items, and expenses have been ac...
www.macrotrends.net
December 20, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Xcel energy, bury the damn lines! We can prevent another Marshall fire and stop the interruptions of power. For most it's an inconvenience. For many others who may rely on powered medical devices, much more serious. We will continue to get these wind storms, build infrastructure accordingly!
Tough day to be a squirrel in 100mph winds in Colorado.
December 18, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Texas Attorney General sues Xcel Energy unit over Smokehouse Creek wildfire reut.rs/4p1pdsm
Texas Attorney General sues Xcel Energy unit over Smokehouse Creek wildfire
The Attorney General of Texas, Ken Paxton, sued Xcel Energy's unit Southwestern Public Service Company for causing the Smokehouse Creek fire in 2024, his office said on Tuesday.
reut.rs
December 16, 2025 at 8:05 PM
This was because the power company doesn't want to be a power company if it means being held accountable for infrastructure they put in. (they recently paid a ton of money out for burning two cities down) The power company (Xcel) turned off the power for several days.
December 21, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Update: More than 100,000 homes and businesses across Colorado lost power Friday amid "particularly dangerous" high winds and planned power shut-offs that could take several days to restore in some areas, Xcel Energy said.
100,000 without power due to wind, planned Xcel shut-offs that could take several days to restore
It could take crews several days to restore power that’s shut off Friday, Xcel said, as “crews must inspect power lines and repair damage before they can be safely re-energized.”
trib.al
December 19, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Pretty good summary of the issues with Xcel Energy's plan to own batteries on customer property across their Minnesota service territory #batteries #utility #distributed
December 19, 2025 at 8:18 PM
That is Xcel Energy trying to reduce liability from their power lines sparking fires. The Marshall fire triggered the practice (and I assume watching what PG&E did in California).
December 19, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Reminder, CU is closed and is blacked out by Xcel today so the ATOC department's weather observatory is offline: skywatch.colorado.edu #COwx
December 17, 2025 at 6:55 PM