DENVER, CO – On Thursday, July 25, 2024, a significant power outage impacted over 10,600 Xcel Energy customers in the Denver metropolitan area. The outage was first reported around 1:20 PM, as indicated by Xcel’s electric outage map.
Initially, Xcel Energy acknowledged that their outage map was “over-calculating” the number of affected customers, although they did not provide precise figures at that time. By approximately 4:30 PM, the company revised the number of customers without power to about 4,300, but further updates revealed that the actual figure was closer to 3,500.
The outages were widespread, affecting various locations including Denver, Commerce City, Lakewood, Englewood, Wheat Ridge, and Centennial. Additionally, some residents in the Boulder area also experienced power disruptions. Xcel Energy attributed the outages to a tree that had fallen onto a power line, and crews were promptly dispatched to clear the debris and restore service.
As the situation unfolded, the outage map provided by Xcel Energy showed the extent of the affected areas, highlighting neighborhoods throughout the Denver metro region. The company assured customers that additional crews were on standby to assist in restoring power as quickly as possible.
In conjunction with the power outage, portions of the eastern plains were under a Red Flag warning, particularly in Weld and Morgan counties. While these areas did not experience the same power issues, the Red Flag warnings were issued to alert fire managers of conditions that could lead to dangerous wildfire growth, emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety protocols during such weather events.
The region has been experiencing unseasonably high temperatures, with forecasts predicting highs that could reach a record-breaking 99 degrees. This extreme heat, combined with dry conditions, raises concerns about fire safety and power management.
Earlier this year, Xcel Energy proposed a Wildfire Mitigation Plan aimed at reducing the risk of wildfires caused by their equipment. This plan includes a projected increase in residential bills by approximately 9.56% by the year 2028. The proposal also includes provisions that would allow the company to shut off power in certain areas if they believe their equipment poses a wildfire risk.
This initiative comes in response to numerous complaints following the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office identification of Xcel Energy as a potential second-ignition source for the devastating Marshall Fire that occurred on December 30, 2021. The company faced additional scrutiny in April when they preemptively turned off power to customers during a strong windstorm, a measure they claimed was necessary to prevent potential fires from igniting due to downed power lines.
As the situation continues to develop, Xcel Energy is working diligently to restore power to all affected customers while also addressing the ongoing challenges posed by extreme weather conditions and wildfire risks in the region.
