Damaged mast must be fixed by homeowner before power restoration

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - There's a metal pole on top of many houses called a 'mast' that can often lead to problems restoring power after a big storm. Colorado Springs Utilities is getting the word out about mast damage and how it can slow down restoration efforts.

A mast feeds power to your home from Colorado Springs Utilities' overhead lines.

Heavy, wet snow that fell over the weekend may have caused tree limbs to fall on your home's mast, leaving it bent or completely broken off.

Springs Utilities says if the mast is damaged, it is the homeowner's responsibility to fix the issue.

"There's a distribution wire that's coming into that mast and that is actually owned by the customer," said Steve Berry, Spokesperson for Colorado Springs Utilities. So that is owned by those people who live in that home, and that is your electric feed into your home. It can get damaged sometimes. Until that's fixed by the homeowner, we're not able to restore power to you.”

Unfortunately, this is not something homeowners will be able to fix themselves. Colorado Springs Utilities says a licensed electrician must be hired.

"It's very dangerous," said Berry. "So, we definitely want people to check their home visually and then call the appropriate professional to have it fixed.”

Pikes Peak Regional Building Department allows emergency repairs after storms so power can be restored quickly. Homeowners have 72 hours after repair to pull a permit from PPRBD and 180 days for the inspection.

"Our partners at Pikes Peak Regional Building Department have a grace period during an emergency where you will have to get a permit pulled within 72 hours," said Berry. "Your electrician should be able to do that on your behalf. Then there's a time period after that when it has to be inspected, but you don't have to have it inspected before we can restore power in an emergency.”