Xcel Energy

NWS: Wind advisory on April 22

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National Weather Service

Lower Yampa River Basin; Central Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley; Debeque to Silt Corridor; Central Colorado River Basin; Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin; Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River; Four Corners/Upper Dolores River; Animas River Basin; Southeast Utah; Eastern Uinta Basin Arches/Grand Flat; Canyonlands/Natural Bridges.

Including the cities of Rangely, Dinosaur, Dinosaur National Monument, Craig, Hayden, Meeker, Grand Junction, Fruita, Palisade, Colorado National Monument, Whitewater, Collbran, De Beque, New Castle, Mesa, Parachute, Rifle, Silt, Edwards, Eagle, Gypsum, Glenwood Springs, Carbondale, Basalt, Montrose, Olathe, Delta, Hotchkiss, Paonia, Gateway, Nucla, Norwood, Cortez, Dove Creek, Mancos, Towaoc, Mesa Verde National Park, Durango, Bayfield, Ignacio, Blanding, Bluff, Mexican Hat, Vernal, Jensen, Ballard, Fort
Duchesne, Randlett, Moab, Arches National Park, Castle Valley, Thompson Springs, Dead Horse Point State Park, Canyonlands National Park, Natural Bridges, and Fry Canyon.

April 21, 2026, 11:38 a.m. MDT: WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. MDT Wednesday.

  • WHAT: Southwest winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 55 mph expected.
  • WHERE: Portions of northwest, southwest, and west central Colorado and east central, northeast, and southeast Utah.
  • WHEN: From 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. MDT on Wednesday.
  • IMPACTS: Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Use extra caution.

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Holy Cross Energy

April 21, 2026, 3:46 p.m.: We are aware that some members may have received communications from other electric service providers about a potential Public Safety Power Shutoff event planned for tomorrow, Wednesday, April 22, due to forecast high winds and dry conditions.

Holy Cross Energy (HCE) does not see the need for such an event and will instead be using our fire settings to minimize fire risk from our system. We place our system on fire settings already on red flag warning days. On these settings, members may see “blinks” in their power for short periods of time.

Please visit https://www.holycross.com/community/safety/be-wildfire-ready for more information on HCE’s Wildfire Mitigation Plan and steps you can take to live wildfire ready this summer.

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Xcel Energy

April 21, 2026, 2:50 p.m.: Garfield County is no longer expected to be affected by the April 22, public safety power shutoff (PSPS). Weather-related outages are still possible.

Wildfire preparedness

NWS: Wind advisory on April 22

Xcel Energy: temporary power outages possible on April 22 due to strong winds

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Xcel Energy

Public Safety Power Shutoff likely as we prepare for high winds, dry conditions in San Luis Valley on Wednesday, April 22

Current situation

San Luis Valley

April 21, 2026, 10:39 a.m. – We continue to prepare for strong winds, low relative humidity and very dry conditions, resulting in high wildfire risk in parts of the San Luis Valley, on Wednesday, April 22.

High winds also 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 Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) beginning Wednesday, April 22, around 12 p.m., potentially impacting about 14,000 customers in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, and Rio Grande counties.

Much of the area is experiencing extreme to exceptional drought due to the record warm and dry winter. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the San Luis Valley for this weather event.

Customers can look up their address on our outage map to find out if they may be affected by a PSPS event.

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. As forecasts continue to improve, we expect to be able to reduce the area and number of customers impacted.

Weather conditions are expected to start improving around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. Crews will begin restoring power as soon as it is safe to do so.

Front Range

We also continue to monitor a high wildfire risk event along the northern Front Range expected on Thursday, April 23.

Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS) will be activated across Colorado. 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.

We are continually investing in and building out our systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale, and duration of potential power disruptions, including system hardening, upgrading electrical components, enhancing vegetation management and expanding technologies like Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings.?Our goal is to limit the impact of our wildfire mitigation strategies as much as possible while effectively managing high wildfire risk.

Power restoration

We encourage customers to plan for potential power outages in the coming days due to weather, especially those who have medical equipment that relies on electricity.

Due to anticipated high winds, outages could take place outside of areas impacted by a PSPS, affecting restoration times.

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.

Rural, remote, mountainous and other difficult to reach areas could experience extended outages.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to protect the safety of our communities and decrease the risk of wildfire.

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Current situation

Xcel Energy is monitoring forecasted strong winds, low relative humidity, and very dry conditions on Wednesday, April 22, and may temporarily shut down power in some Western Slope areas as a precaution against wildfire risk.

April 20, 2026, 1:04 p.m. – We continue to prepare for strong winds, low relative humidity and very dry conditions, resulting in high wildfire risk, in parts of western Colorado and the San Luis Valley on Wednesday, April 22, and along the northern Front Range on Thursday, April 23. High 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 possible public safety power shutoff (PSPS) beginning on Wednesday, April 22, around 9 a.m. MT for some customers in Garfield, Mesa and Pitkin counties, and around 11 a.m. MT for some customers in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande and Saguache counties.

  • Much of the area is experiencing extreme to exceptional drought due to the record warm and dry winter. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the San Luis Valley for this weather event.
  • Customers can look up their address on our outage map to find out if they may be affected by a PSPS event.

Weather conditions are expected to start improving around 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22. Crews will begin restoring power as soon as it is safe to do so.

Due to anticipated high winds, outages could take place outside of areas impacted by a PSPS, affecting restoration times. 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.

Rural, remote, mountainous and other difficult to reach areas could experience extended outages.

Enhanced powerline safety settings (EPSS) will be activated in across Colorado. 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. Please know the forecast may change and we will provide updates as needed. We plan to share an update the evening of Monday, April 20.

  • We encourage customers to plan for potential power outages in the coming days due to weather, especially those who have medical equipment that relies on electricity.
  • 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. As forecasts improve in the coming days, we expect to be able to reduce the area and number of customers impacted.

We are continually investing in and building out our systems to reduce the risk of wildfire and limit the size, scale, and duration of potential power disruptions, including system hardening, upgrading electrical components, enhancing vegetation management and expanding technologies like Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings.?Our goal is to limit the impact of a PSPS event as much as possible while effectively managing high wildfire risk.

Thank you for your patience and support as we work to protect the safety of our communities and decrease the risk of wildfire.

Xcel Energy: temporary power outages possible on April 22 due to strong winds

Xcel Energy: Planned power outage in Parachute

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Xcel Energy

June 9, 2025, 3:23 p.m. – A power outage is planned for the Town of Parachute on June 10, 2025, from roughly 7 p.m. until June 11, 2025, at 6 a.m. The outage is needed while Xcel Energy replaces several utility poles and makes repairs as part of its wildfire mitigation program (WMP). Xcel has placed calls to affected homeowners and notified the town of the outage.

Xcel Energy powerline replacement project

Xcel Energy: Planned power outage in Parachute

NWS / Xcel: Fire Weather Watch for Thursday may impact Xcel Energy service

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National Weather Service and Excel Energy

9.10.24
Fire Weather Watch for Thursday issued by National Weather Service

FIRE WEATHER WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THURSDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING FOR GUSTY WINDS, LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY AND DRY FUELS FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONES 203 AND 205 BELOW 8000 FEET

* AFFECTED AREA…In Colorado, Fire Weather Zone 203 Lower Colorado River and Fire Weather Zone 205 Colorado River Headwaters below 8000 feet.

* WINDS…Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY…10 to 15 percent.

* IMPACTS…Conditions may become favorable for the easy ignition and rapid spread of fires due to low relative humidity and strong gusty winds.

National Weather Service map

Severe weather may impact Xcel Energy electric service for customers in northwestern Colorado

Xcel Energy monitoring severe weather conditions and high wildfire risk on Thursday, September 12, 2024 

DENVER (September 10, 2024) – Xcel Energy is closely monitoring expected severe weather with high winds in Colorado later this week. Excessively dry conditions and significant wind speeds, centered in Mesa and Garfield counties, will create an elevated risk of wildfire, peaking the afternoon and evening of Thursday, September 12.  

Xcel Energy utilizes weather forecasts and other data sources to assist us in determining the best course of action to protect public safety. High winds along with low relative humidity and dry ground conditions, such as brush and vegetation, are key factors in our risk modeling. The company updates this information routinely and adjusts its operations and actions accordingly to reduce wildfire risks. The company will continue to coordinate with first responders and customers if conditions change.  

Because of the strong winds forecast, some customers may experience power outages, and we are planning ahead to safely restore power for customers who are impacted by outages. Due to the elevated risk of wildfire, we also expect to use special settings on our equipment in the region that assist in reducing wildfires, known as Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings (EPSS). When these settings are activated, power lines are more sensitive and can instantly stop the flow of energy if an issue, like a tree branch touching the line, is detected. This does not mean the company has proactively turned off a customer’s power but is the result of an issue on the line. Power will remain off until our crews can visually inspect powerlines to make sure it is safe to turn them back on. These settings are intended to improve public safety during heightened fire risk conditions, but it means power outages, if they occur, are likely to last hours or even days longer than typical outages. Xcel Energy will position crews to respond as quickly as possible once the period of high risk has passed.  

Finally, as a last resort to protect safety and prevent a wildfire, and only if conditions warrant, Xcel Energy may initiate a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS). The company does not believe that conditions warrant such an action at this time, but recognizes that conditions may worsen and to a level that meet the criteria to initiate a PSPS. Xcel Energy will provide timely communications if a PSPS becomes a needed safety option to address this weather. 

We want to thank our customers for their patience and understanding as we take steps to reduce the risk of wildfires to keep Colorado safe. We encourage customers 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 

We will provide updates for this specific weather event on our website at Update | Outages & Safety | Xcel Energy. 

If outages occur, it’s important for customers to have access to the most recent updates about their power restoration. Customers should make sure their account information and communications preferences are up to date online at Notification Sign Up | Xcel Energy.  

Customers can view outages statewide on our outage map which displays the number of customers out of service and anticipated restoration times when available at Electric Outage Map Xcel Energy. 

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  

As an important reminder to customers who have medical equipment that relies on electric service, please take steps to prepare for potential extended outages in case outages do occur. Xcel Energy will be conducting additional outreach to qualifying medical customers in the area about this expected serve weather. 

We are continually investing in and building out our 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.

Report an outage 

Customers can help Xcel Energy get a jump on power restoration by reporting outages. Customers have several ways to report outages:  

  • By calling 1-800-895-1999 and following the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds.
  • Through the Xcel Energy mobile app, available in the Apple App Store and through Google Play.
  • Online at xcelenergy.com/out
  • Via text by texting OUT to 98936 to report an outage, or text STAT to the same number to check the status of a power outage
    • NWS / Xcel: Fire Weather Watch for Thursday may impact Xcel Energy service