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

Updated Dec. 19, 2025 at 12:52 p.m.

Around 87,000 Xcel Customers are without power this morning 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 wind forecasts. 

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

Xcel Energy expects the weather conditions to improve between 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. Friday evening. But, customers should plan for additional outages. In its latest update, Xcel said high winds will persist beyond 10 p.m. which will delay restoration activity in affected areas.

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.

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

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. 

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.  

Over 900 flights in and out of the Denver International Airport were delayed and over 30 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.  

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.