On December 17, 2025, high winds up to 135 mph caused over 115,000 customers of Xcel Energy to lose power in Colorado, prompting a precautionary power outage affecting 50,000 residents in several counties. While rolling blackouts were expected to end by 6 p.m., Xcel announced that extensive inspections of over 600 miles of power lines were required before restoring power, although no specific timeline was provided.
Authorities advised caution on the roads, and several school districts canceled classes due to the conditions. Many residents expressed dissatisfaction with the outages, particularly those requiring medical equipment. Xcel’s decision for the outages relates to its updated wildfire mitigation plan, which aims to prevent utility equipment from causing wildfires.
The company is also dealing with lawsuits related to past wildfires. While Xcel maintains that the current outages are not connected to these legal issues, they continue to face scrutiny over their equipment’s role in major incidents.
To manage the power outages, Xcel, along with local agencies, set up comfort centers offering charging stations and snacks. Residents were encouraged to report damage and avoid downed power lines. Additional outages could occur as severe weather is expected to persist.
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