Overview
- The public safety power shutoff began around 10 a.m. Wednesday for customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties.
- National Weather Service high-wind and red-flag warnings were in effect, and gusts topped 100 mph in parts of the Front Range.
- Xcel targeted initial restoration after conditions ease around 6 p.m., but crews must visually inspect about 678 miles of lines, extending some outages.
- Unplanned wind damage compounded the planned outages, with more than 100,000 customers losing power and disruptions to RTD service, DIA flights and schools.
- Red Cross and county agencies are setting up community centers for charging and warmth, and Xcel warns a possible Friday wind event could trigger more shutoffs and multiday outages.