Xcel Energy announced on April 20 that it is preparing for strong winds, low humidity, and very dry conditions in parts of western Colorado and the San Luis Valley on Wednesday, April 22. The company said these factors are creating a high risk of wildfires and may lead to a Public Safety Power Shutoff for some customers.
The potential shutoff aims to reduce wildfire risk as historically low snowpack, unseasonably warm temperatures, and dry vegetation could cause large fires to spread quickly. Xcel Energy plans to begin the shutoff around 9 a.m. in Garfield, Mesa, and Pitkin counties, with additional areas including Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Rio Grande, and Saguache counties affected later in the morning. Weather conditions are expected to improve by Wednesday evening.
After severe weather passes, power restoration may take several hours or even days because crews must inspect lines before re-energizing them. Rural or hard-to-reach areas could face longer outages. Customers who rely on electric-powered medical equipment are advised to prepare backup power supplies.
Xcel Energy will also activate Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings across Colorado during this period. These settings make power lines more sensitive so they can automatically stop electricity flow if an issue is detected—such as a tree branch touching the line—which helps prevent fire ignition but can result in longer outages until crews verify safety.
The company uses weather forecasts and data models to guide decisions about public safety measures like power shutoffs. The number of customers impacted may change as forecasts improve; Xcel Energy expects it may be able to reduce affected areas over time. Customers are encouraged to update their contact information with Xcel Energy and prepare emergency kits containing items such as flashlights, radios, batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food items, first aid kits and manual can openers.
Xcel Energy said it continues investing in systems designed to limit wildfire risks while minimizing disruptions for its customers.
