Around 87,000 Xcel customers without power Friday morning as officials warn of extremely dangerous fire conditions

Updated Dec. 19, 2025 at 4:40 p.m.

Around 88,000 Xcel customers are still without power Friday in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld counties. The state's largest energy company implemented another planned safety power shutdown at 5 a.m. ahead of hurricane-level winds that have knocked down power lines, trees, and damaged traffic lights throughout the day.

Xcel cut power to 69,000 customers this morning, and roughly 20,000 customers were already without power due to damage from Wednesday’s windstorm and shut-off event. Crews have been working to restore power from those previous outages.

Red Flag Warnings will be in effect until midnight tonight, and about half a dozen small wildfires have sparked around the Front Range and Foothills. Authorities have quickly gotten them under control. Another brush fire at Fort Carson is threatening a high-impact area; however, no injuries or damage have been reported. Authorities have not reported the size of the blaze.

Xcel Energy expects the weather conditions to improve between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. It’s unclear when power will be restored, and the company says customers should plan for additional outages, especially if winds continue into the night.

On Friday afternoon, Gov. Jared Polis said Xcel must provide “clearer communication and more transparency about the safety shutdowns.”

“Coloradans deserve the very best in energy reliability, safety, and affordability. Utility companies must provide clear and up-to-date information to consumers on planned and unplanned energy outages, which impact public buildings, schools, and all Xcel customers,” Polis said in a statement. “No Coloradan should be wondering if they will or will not have power, and when it may be turned on again, or worse, receive no communication or confusing communication.”

Xcel is expected to provide another update later today, according to a spokeswoman. The Colorado Department of Transportation has also closed Highway 93, between Golden to Eldorado Springs, and parts of the Peak to Peak Highway, because of high winds. Peak to Peak Highway (Hwy 72) is closed from Highway 7 to Nelson St. The North foothills Highway (Hwy 36) is also closed north of Boulder to Lyons. Flagstaff Road is closed and restricted to local access only.

Hart Van Denburg/CPR News

At 3:29 p.m. CDOT closed I-25 in both directions near the Wyoming border. Travelers can expect delays between CO1 and Exit 281 at Owl Canyon Road.

Conditions on Friday are expected to be a “particularly dangerous situation,” according to the National Weather Service. It’s the first time the agency has issued that designation in Colorado, which means conditions are ripe for a fast-moving wildfire, especially in the foothills. 

Extremely high winds, very low humidity and record temperatures are creating a perfect storm that could transform a spark into a blaze. Those conditions are particularly severe in Boulder’s foothills, northern Jefferson County and the areas adjacent to the foothills. 

“What we’re trying to do is highlight the life-threatening situation with the fire weather conditions and the high winds that are expected in a generally small area,” said Jennifer Stark, the meteorologist in charge at the NWS Forecast Office in Boulder.  

“If a fire were to start and spread in that area, it could easily spread into populated areas and lead to a really destructive wildfire event,” she said, given that the winds are blowing down from the mountains towards the east. 

Gusts are expected to reach 105 miles per hour in the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson Counties. The National Weather Service warns of sustained winds of 45-55 miles per hour. 

Red flag warnings remain in effect for the entire Front Range from Fort Collins to Ordway, with the highest risk in Boulder and Jefferson counties, from 5 a.m. to midnight Friday night, due to dangerous fire conditions. 

Winds are expected to be slower east of the foothills and towards I-25, though the area still has critical fire weather conditions, according to the NWS. 

The Boulder County Office of Emergency Management is warning against travel in the area, writing in a public notice: “This is a particularly dangerous situation in Boulder County that poses a significant threat to life and property in the event of a wildfire start.” 

Xcel is monitoring around 700 miles of power lines. Some customers may be without power for three days or more. 

Services disrupted, wildfires reported

RTD says W Line service between the Federal Center State and Golden will be disrupted; bus shuttles will be used while the line is impacted. 

Boulder County schools are closed again Friday. CU Boulder is closed. At least 34 Jeffco schools are closed. More school closures are possible.

Along with charging centers, The American Red Cross opened overnight shelters Thursday night at Wellspring Catholic Academy in Lakewood and Gilpin County School in Black Hawk.  

In Yuma County, a fire that was started by high winds Wednesday night burned approximately 12,000 acres. As of Friday morning, it was 100 percent contained. 

The 33 Fire burned between the towns of Yuma and Wray in a rural area and no homes are currently under threat. Four structures were destroyed — all are either sheds or abandoned homes. No livestock or people have been reported injured. 

Several fires were reported early Friday, as windstorms continue along the Front Range. The most concerning is the Rolling Creek Fire south of Bailey in Park County. According to Watch Duty, the blaze sparked around 8 a.m. and was originally three acres. Park County emergency officials said the U.S. Forest Service has taken over response, and as of 12:45 p.m, it is down to 1.3 acres. 

The Elk Creek Fire Department reported in a Facebook post shortly before 2:30 p.m. that the Rolling Creek Fire was contained. Another fire, the Flying G Fire in the Conifer Fire West District was contained at 0.25 acres.

Two small fires reported in northwest Gilpin County are contained or close to containment. The Geranium Fire west of Coal Creek remains active, but crews are responding. The small Wondervu Fire also near Coal Creek is reportedly contained. 

A small fire was also reported in Ruby Hill. But it has since been contained.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 1,000 flights in and out of the Denver International Airport were delayed, and more than 55 were cancelled Friday morning, according to FlightAware. The Federal Aviation Administration’s National Airspace System Status says the average time for delayed departures is 120 minutes due to the high winds.

Colorado Springs Airport experienced its highest number of diversion events for the year. Thirty flights that were scheduled to arrive at Denver International Airport were diverted south due to high winds. Colorado Springs Airport spokesperson Amanda Rantis said in a statement that operations for scheduled flights continued as normal today.

Recouping losses 

For homeowners and renters, the costs of a power shutoff may add up: spoiled food, frozen pipes and in worse case situations, downed trees and debris damaging homes. 

“We do have a claim process and people can refer to that, but right now I’m really focused on keeping people safe,” said Kenney, referring to Xcel’s claim process for losses.

Carole Walker, with the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association (RMIIA), said policy holders should evaluate their homeowners or renters policies before filing claims, or talk to their insurance broker. That's because short-term expenses, like recouping costs for rotten food, may not meet deductibles, though more intense damage is likely covered. 

"So before you file a claim, do think about, does it make sense?" she said "Would I be filing a $500 claim when I have a thousand dollars deductible?"

Filing multiple claims may negatively impact insurance rates, Walker said.

"Multiple claims over a short period of time can put your insurance at risk, or raise your premium," she said.