Overview
- The company, which confirmed Tuesday it will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff on Wednesday around noon MT, expects about 7,100 customers to lose service in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla and Rio Grande counties.
- The shutdown addresses high fire danger driven by strong winds, low humidity and very dry fuels, with the National Weather Service issuing a Red Flag Warning that includes a Particularly Dangerous Situation for the valley.
- Xcel will use Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings statewide, making lines more sensitive so they cut electricity if a branch strikes a wire or equipment signals a fault.
- Forecasts point to easing conditions near 7 p.m., but crews will only begin restoration when it is safe, and required line inspections mean some rural customers may be without power until Thursday.
- As forecasts evolved, Xcel narrowed the plan from an earlier, broader footprint and reduced an initial estimate of about 14,000 affected customers to a confirmed 7,100, while also monitoring elevated risk along the northern Front Range for Thursday.