Colorado Public Utilities Commission

Built World

As of May 2026: Setting expectations for PSPS planning, communication, and cost recovery

Xcel Energy's deliberate blackout on Colorado's Front Range didn't end neatly when the wind eased. By the time crews could start patrols, the first PSPS was entangled with widespread storm damage. Xcel said total weather-related outages reached about 120,000—far beyond the roughly 50,000 customers initially targeted for de-energization.

Updated May 15