Severe weather conditions led to significant power outages across Colorado, affecting nearly 100,000 residents. On Friday morning, utility companies prepared for high wind gusts, predicted to reach up to 100 miles per hour in specific areas.
Power Outages in Colorado
By 8:20 a.m., Xcel Energy reported that 89,271 customers were without power. Additionally, the CORE electric cooperative indicated that 8,693 customers were affected as well.
Planned Power Shut-offs
To mitigate safety risks, Xcel Energy implemented planned power shut-offs affecting 69,000 households and businesses. This measure targeted areas in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties.
- Boulder County
- Clear Creek County
- Gilpin County
- Jefferson County
- Larimer County
- Weld County
Utility crews expected that restoring power could take several days. This was due to the need for inspections and repairs to damaged power lines before they could be re-energized safely.
Weather Warnings and Risks
The National Weather Service issued a rare “particularly dangerous situation red flag warning” for Friday. This alert was due to exceptionally high winds and low humidity levels, which ranged from 8% to 20%. These conditions raised significant fire risk across the region.
Forecasts indicated that the critical fire weather conditions would continue into Saturday morning. Moreover, temperatures were expected to approach record highs for this time of year.
Emergency Resource Centers
In response to the outages, Xcel Energy collaborated with the American Red Cross to establish emergency resource centers. These centers offered support, phone charging, and emergency supplies for those without power.
| Location | Address | Hours of Operation |
|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Fire Station | 1802 Bergen Pkwy, Evergreen, CO 80439 | 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Gilpin County School | 10595 Highway 119, Black Hawk, CO 80422 | Open until further notice |
| Wellspring Catholic Academy | 1100 Upham St., Lakewood | 3 p.m. until further notice |
| Health and Wellness Center | 1969 Miner St., Idaho Springs | Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
Xcel employees were on-site at these centers to provide assistance and information to residents. Following previous planned outages, over 90% of affected households had their power restored, with the utility asserting that no one had been without power for three days.
As utility crews worked swiftly to restore electricity, residents were urged to stay informed about the evolving weather conditions and the potential for further outages.
