Xcel Planned Outage Map: What Boulder and Colorado Residents Need to Know on December 17

Xcel’s Planned Outage: Proactive Measures in the Face of Extreme Fire Risk

On December 17, 2025, tens of thousands of Colorado residents across Boulder, Jefferson, Larimer, Weld, and additional Front Range counties are bracing for a planned power shutoff, as Xcel Energy responds to an alarming forecast of high winds and elevated wildfire danger. The shutoff, known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS), is scheduled to begin around 10 a.m. Wednesday, with Xcel warning that restoration could take several hours to days, depending on weather and line inspections (Boulder Reporting Lab).

The utility’s updated outage map is now the primary resource for customers to check if their address falls within the affected area. Longmont and Lyons are notably excluded from this round of planned outages. As the event unfolds, Xcel has pledged more frequent and clearer updates, including direct notifications via phone, email, and text, as the forecast evolves (Jefferson County).

How the Outage Map Works—and Why It Matters

Xcel’s outage map, available on its website, allows residents to enter their address and immediately see if they’re in the zone slated for shutoff. This digital tool is especially vital in Boulder County, where the electric grid’s fragmented layout means neighboring homes might be on different circuits—and some could lose power while others remain lit. This complexity was highlighted in April 2024, when a surprise outage left 55,000 customers without power, sowing confusion and forcing critical facilities, from assisted living centers to wastewater treatment plants, to scramble for solutions (Boulder Reporting Lab).

Since then, Xcel has revamped its protocols, aiming for phased warnings and better coordination with local emergency managers. The map is now backed by real-time updates and notifications—though city officials and residents remain wary, remembering last year’s communication breakdowns and the near-miss at Boulder’s wastewater plant.

Preparation Is Key: What Residents Should Do

Boulder’s Office of Disaster Management, along with local governments throughout the affected counties, urges residents to prepare for the possibility of extended outages. Their advice is pragmatic and direct:

• Charge all phones, medical devices, and backup batteries ahead of time.
• Stock up on bottled water, non-perishable food, and necessary medications.
• Keep flashlights, batteries, and portable chargers within reach.
• Set refrigerators and freezers to the coldest settings to preserve food as long as possible.
• If you rely on electricity for medical equipment, ensure you have backup power or evacuation plans.
• Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs.
• Sign up for emergency alerts at BOCOAlert.org or use the ReachWell app for updates in multiple languages.

Residents are reminded to stay away from downed power lines and to run generators only outdoors, where ventilation is adequate. Businesses, shelters, and schools are all implementing their own contingency plans. For example, Frasier Meadows senior living community received advanced notice and tested their generators, while Boulder’s largest homeless shelter rented a generator and prepared for cold meals.

Business Impact and Community Response

The economic and operational impact of planned outages is significant. In April 2024, Boulder businesses reported $1.4 million in losses during a three-day outage. Restaurant owners like Hosea Rosenberg of Blackbelly and Santo have become seasoned veterans in outage response, renting refrigerated trucks and portable coolers to safeguard food, but lament the financial strain and stress on staff. “It’s a horrible situation that none of us want to deal with,” Rosenberg told Boulder Reporting Lab, “But if this is what it takes to keep the community safe, then we deal with it and move forward.”

Some business leaders, however, are pushing back on the strategy itself. Dave Query, owner of Big Red F Restaurant Group, called for Xcel to bury power lines rather than rely on recurring outages, arguing that the choice between wildfires and blackouts is a false one. “These power companies should aggressively be sued, fined and sanctioned—for not burying them,” Query wrote to legislators and Governor Jared Polis.

Weather Forecast and Restoration Timeline

The National Weather Service expects sustained winds of 30–40 mph, with gusts reaching up to 85 mph, peaking west of I-25 and north of I-70. A Red Flag Warning is in effect for high fire danger until 6 p.m. Wednesday. BoulderCAST meteorologists note similarities to the 2021 Marshall Fire event, but stress that drought is less severe and fuels less abundant—although the risk remains elevated.

After the winds subside, Xcel crews will begin the painstaking process of inspecting and repairing power lines before restoring electricity. This safety-first approach means outages could persist well beyond the initial weather event, especially if lines are damaged or debris is present. Customers outside the planned shutoff zones could also experience outages due to wind-driven incidents, further complicating restoration efforts.

Communication Improvements and Ongoing Updates

Xcel has promised improved communication for this event, after last year’s confusion. This time, many residents received notice days ahead, and information is available in over 100 languages via the ReachWell app. Updates will continue via Xcel’s event page, outage map, and local emergency management channels. The Office of Disaster Management offers a comprehensive resource library and encourages all residents to register for alerts.

Schools in Boulder Valley School District plan to operate as normal unless notified of closures, while CU Boulder has canceled all classes for December 17. Residents and businesses alike are watching closely, adapting plans as the situation unfolds.

The Xcel planned outage map is more than just a digital tool—it’s a lifeline for communities facing the dual threat of fire and blackout. While proactive measures are necessary, the experience of Boulder and neighboring counties highlights the need for continued improvement in communication, infrastructure investment, and community resilience. As Colorado faces more frequent extreme weather events, the balance between safety and disruption remains at the heart of the conversation.