XCEL Energy Announces POTENTIAL Public Safety Power-Shutoff on Wednesday, December 17 @ 12 PM - Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties

To: Administrators, Directors and Staff From: Melanie Roth, Emergency Response Coordinator, Health Facilities & Emergency Medical Services Division Re: XCEL Energy Announces POTENTIAL Public Safety Power-Shutoff on Wednesday, December 17 @ 12 p.m. for Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties Xcel Energy has issued notice that they may turn off power (called a Public Safety Power Shutoff, or PSPS) beginning on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. This shutoff is being considered due to hazard risks associated with forecasted high winds, high temperatures, and low humidity.  At this time, the possible shutoff could affect large areas along the front range, including Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas, Jefferson, Larimer, and Weld Counties. Xcel believes it is likely that some power shutoffs will be needed, but expects to better define which areas will be affected within the next 24 hours as weather forecasts become more precise. Xcel provides up-to-date power outage information on its Electric Outage Map.  Regarding power restoration timing, Xcel expects power to return within 24 hours if the power grid is not affected by the weather. If the grid is damaged, restoration could be delayed until Friday. We are seeking more clarity on this timeline. Placing an emphasis on delivering care even in the face of power outages must be a priority to protect residents, clients, patients and staff from harm. For residential providers, we’d like to remind everyone to have emergency plans and arrangements in place if you cannot provide generator power and need to evacuate medically compromised residents. Other suggestions: Consult your facility’s emergency plan. Notify engineering and facility staff as early as possible of additional power needs. Review evacuation plans and prepare staff in case of power outages, and make sure your transportation is in good working order. Monitor indoor temperatures. Increase the frequency of patient observations, especially those at high risk.  If you lose heat and are in a high-rise building, prepare to move individuals from lower floors to higher floors (remember, heat rises). Conserve supplies, such as ice and fuel, based on anticipated or current shortages. Keep medications cool. Place medications that require refrigeration in an ice chest or cooler packed with ice, cooling bricks, or cold packs. Use a thermometer to monitor medication temperatures to ensure they're safe to use. Avoid freezing medication by making sure it does not directly touch the ice. Plan and consider options and plans for access to food and meals during the power outage. For home health/home care agencies and in-home hospice providers with clients at home:  Agencies are responsible for developing individualized emergency plans for their clients, tailored to their specific needs. Encourage your clients who have durable medical equipment to have extra batteries and/or a car charger available. Keeping extra concentrator batteries fully charged will provide your clients with oxygen for longer if power is lost. If possible, keep enough fully-charged batteries to last a couple of days. Arrange with clients’ oxygen supply companies about a back-up emergency supply that does not require electricity, such as oxygen tanks and cylinders. Make sure your clients know how to set up and use their backup emergency oxygen supply. If you have clients who rely on several different types of electrical assistive devices, they may want to look into purchasing a generator. Temporary use generators can be purchased at most hardware and department stores (such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Sears, and similar stores). Should you need assistance with movement, placement or care of patients or residents, please complete this Situational Awareness form detailing any assistance you need. This form will be routed to the appropriate response partners. You may also email cdphe_oepr_medops@state.co.us.  Here are some resources that can help home health providers prepare their clients during emergencies: How to Survive an Extended Power Outage with Home Medical Equipment Home Use Devices: How to Prepare for and Handle Power Outages for Medical Devices that Require Electricity Emergency Power Planning for People Who Use Electricity and Battery-Dependent Assistive Technology and Medical Devices Finally, since all emergencies start locally, we want you to know that local public health agencies and regional healthcare coalitions have been notified about the potential power outages. Make sure that you all have the appropriate local contact information, should you need to reach out for emergency assistance: Find your local emergency management contact information (and sign up for emergency alerts on this site) Find your regional health care coalition Find your local public health agency We will continue to keep you updated. For concerns related to the ability to care for residents, patients or clients, please reach out to Melanie Roth at 720-291-5929 or melanie.roth-lawson@state.co.us.