Xcel Energy, Colorado's largest utility, will preemptively shut off power to approximately 55,000 customers across the state from Saturday at 3 p.m. until at least noon on Sunday due to forecasted high winds and the potential risk of wildfires. The unprecedented move, which primarily affects customers in Boulder County and parts of Broomfield, Douglas, Gilpin, Jefferson, and Larimer counties, is a precautionary measure aimed at preventing power lines from sparking wildfires in the dry, windy conditions.
Xcel Energy Colorado President Robert Kenney said the company has a team working to create a more detailed map of the affected areas and has made every effort to contact customers in the six counties through outbound calls. "As you might imagine if there is damage to a line caused by the high winds, we can't re-energize that line until we physically put our eyes on it so we can make sure that it's safe to reenergize," Kenney explained.
The decision to shut off power comes as areas of the foothills are forecasted to see winds of up to 100 mph, while Denver is expected to experience gusts of up to 75 mph. Kenney emphasized that the shutoff is an effort to protect the public and public safety, stating, "You could see vegetation, branches falling onto our powerlines, and an energized powerline falling to the ground with exceptionally dry conditions coupled with those high winds, that could lead to ignition, so this is an effort to minimize the risk of that happening."
While this is the first time Xcel Energy has implemented such a measure in Colorado, Kenney noted that the company has taken similar actions in other states and that the practice is becoming more common. The shutoff is expected to last until at least noon on Sunday, but could extend beyond that time frame as crews will need to physically inspect the power lines before power can be restored.
Xcel Energy has pre-staged more than 40 crews to immediately patrol the power lines as soon as weather conditions permit, allowing for the restoration process to begin. In addition to the planned shutoff, other outages are likely to occur as a result of the high winds.
As of 3:20 p.m. on Saturday, the Xcel Energy outage map reported 125 outages affecting 48,254 customers.
To prepare for the power outage, Xcel Energy is encouraging customers to assemble an outage kit containing items such as flashlights, batteries, portable chargers, a non-electric phone, a non-electric clock, bottled water, non-perishable food, a manual can opener, and a first aid kit. The company also advises customers to ensure their computers are protected from surges, keep devices charged, and consider alternative lighting options, using a cooler to avoid opening the fridge, and using a generator if necessary.
In the event that a downed power line is encountered, Poudre Valley REA (PVREA) urges individuals to stay away, avoid touching the line, warn others, and contact the power company or local emergency services. PVREA emphasizes that any downed line should be treated as energized, as tree limbs and debris may hide an electrical hazard, and a downed power line can energize objects around it.
For those in a vehicle that has come in contact with a power line, PVREA advises remaining inside the vehicle until crews confirm that there is no power in the line, as exiting the vehicle improperly could create a path to the ground and result in electrocution.
