Xcel Energy to implement Public Safety Power Shutoff in Colorado counties

SAN LUIS VALLEY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Xcel Energy announces that they will implement a Public Safety Power Shutoff beginning around noon tomorrow, April 22, impacting around 7,100 customers in Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla and Rio Grande counties.

Customers can click here to see if they will be affected.

Xcel says they could possibly also issue a Public Safety Power Shutoff beginning around 9 a.m. for more customers in Garfield, Mesa and Pitkin counties.

According to officials, these areas are experiencing extreme drought due to Colorado's dry winter and record warm temperatures. Xcel says that in the event of power being shut off, they will wait until severe weather subsides before restoring power.

Officials say this could take anywhere from several hours to a few days because crews will need to patrol each line to repair damage and ensure it's safe to re-energize.

Xcel recommends customers with medical equipment that relies on electricity to take steps to prepare a backup power supply.

Officials say shutting off power is important to reduce wildfire risk and keep customers safe.

Xcel says they also expect to activate Enhanced Powerline Safety Settings across Colorado to mitigate against wildfire hazard conditions. 

For more information on the possible outage and the latest updates, click here.

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