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Nearly 50,000 Without Power Across Colorado Front Range Amid high Wind Shutoffs
Nearly 50,000 homes and businesses across the Colorado Front Range are experiencing power outages as Xcel Energy implements public safety shutdowns due to dangerously high winds and dry conditions. The preemptive outages, which began at 10 a.m. on wednesday, December 17, 2025, affect residents in Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties, while Denver County is currently unaffected.
The decision to cut power is a proactive measure aimed at mitigating the risk of wildfires sparked by downed power lines, a growing concern in the region. According to a company release, xcel Energy expects conditions to improve around 6 p.m. Wednesday and will work to restore power “as soon as possible.”
The impact of the shutoffs extends beyond residential areas. Multiple school districts,including those in Boulder,Clear Creek,Weld,and Jefferson counties,have closed for the day. “Many schools are closed on Wednesday due to the shutoff,” a spokesperson confirmed.
The outages are causing disruption and frustration for residents. One resident of Golden recounted losing power during a work Zoom call and having to travel to Lakewood to purchase groceries. “Way to try to keep the public safe,” he said, “But the other part of me is like – what are you doing? There are peopel at home with medical devices and stuff, and you’re turning off their power. Usually, you wait for somthing to happen. Usually,you’re reactionary.”
At the Chautauqua Lodges in Boulder, staff are working to accommodate guests despite the power loss, which occured around 11 a.m. “the winds have gotten significantly worse as then,” said Martha Lunsky, who runs the front desk. while the front desk and some other spaces have generator power, individual
Xcel Energy announced that power may not be restored until 6 a.m. on Friday due to continued weather conditions and fire risk. A company press release cautioned that Friday’s storm coudl overlap with areas already impacted on Wednesday, potentially leaving some communities without power for more than three days.
Regional Transportation Impacts
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) is also experiencing disruptions. The W Line service between Federal Center Station and JeffCo Gov’t Center/Golden Station has been suspended, with a bus shuttle in operation. Lighting, ticket vending machines, and fare validators at the JeffCo Government Center/Golden Station are also offline due to the risk of substation impacts. The RTD is also preparing for potential impacts to four commuter rail crossings along the A Line.
Black Hills Energy, serving Southern Colorado, is monitoring conditions but has not announced any public safety shutdowns as of Wednesday afternoon. Colorado springs Utilities and the San Isabel Electric Association are also closely monitoring the situation.
Legal Scrutiny for Xcel energy
These outages occur as Xcel Energy faces mounting legal challenges related to previous wildfires. The company recently reached a roughly $640 million settlement with colorado plaintiffs and insurance companies over its alleged role in the 2021 Marshall Fire, though it continues to deny wrongdoing. Simultaneously, Xcel is defending itself against a lawsuit filed by the Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday
