Updated at 7:13 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025.
Another high wind event is expected Friday, with wind gusts up to 105 miles an hour in the foothills, and Xcel Energy plans another public safety power shutdown to prevent wildfires.
More than 20,000 Xcel customers are still without power due to damage from Wednesday’s winds and planned safety shutdowns that have extended to Friday. Xcel’s outage map listed 278 outage sites in the state. Along with charging centers, The American Red Cross has opened overnight shelters at Wellspring Catholic Academy in Lakewood and Gilpin County School in Black Hawk.
Friday’s shutdown is expected to impact 67,000 customers in Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties beginning as early as 5 a.m. 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.
The National Weather Service warns of sustained winds of 45-55 miles per hour with gusts upwards of 105 in the foothills of Boulder and Jefferson Counties beginning early Friday morning.
“It's not going to be nearly as widespread of a wind event (as Wednesday),” said NWS Denver meteorologist Zach Hiris. “But we're still looking at, especially in the Front Range, mountains and foothills, some gusts up into the 80 to 90 mile per hour range.”
Boulder County schools are closed again Friday. CU Boulder is closed. More school closures are possible. At least 34 Jeffco schools are closed. More school closures are possible.
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.”
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, due to dangerous fire conditions.
During a press conference in Golden this afternoon, Xcel Colorado president Robert Kenney said 585 crew members are working to assess 678 miles of power lines in order to fully restore power from Wednesday’s event.
“If it’s broken poles and crossarms and downed lines, we’ll be able to do that relatively quickly,” he said. “If it’s more extensive than that … that could make the restoration process more challenging, and it could take longer.” Kenney said they are working to restore power as soon as possible.
Some customers may be without power for three days or more.
Xcel's outage map has been slow to update and may be inaccurate. Kenney said to keep reloading it, and that Xcel was working to keep it up to date.
Denver International Airport listed 262 delays and 17 cancellations on Thursday.
Fire in Yuma County
In Yuma County, a fire that was started by high winds Wednesday night burned approximately 12,000 acres. As of 3:30 p.m. Thursday it was 90 percent contained.
The 33 Fire burned between the towns of Yuma and Wray in a rural area. Four structures were destroyed — all are either sheds or abandoned homes. No livestock or people have been reported injured.
Jake Rockwell, emergency manager for Yuma County Office of Emergency Management, said it was one of three fires that started around 5 p.m. after high winds downed power lines. The two smaller fires are also contained.
Resource centers
Two Red Cross shelters will be open overnight Thursday at Wellspring Catholic Academy (1100 Upham St., Lakewood) and the Gilpin County School (10595 State Route 119, Black Hawk). Pets are welcome.
“Volunteers are providing assistance with immediate needs, support, and information,” the Red Cross said. “Food and water are available at the shelter, as are medical services and mental health services.”
Additionally, Xcel Energy set up resource centers with the Red Cross Thursday with access to phone charging, power, water and snacks.
They are located at Evergreen Library on County Highway 73 in Evergreen, Belmar Library on Allison Parkway in Lakewood, Servicios de la Raza on 14th in Denver, and Gilpin County School on Highway 119 in Black Hawk. Their hours vary.
The Boulder Office of Disaster Management has also set up seven resource centers at community centers and libraries, with charging stations for phones, EV cars and Wifi.
Friday weather
According to the National Weather Service, the wind Friday is expected to be most extreme in the Foothills, with gusts up to 100 miles per hour. The high wind watch goes into effect at 8 p.m. Thursday through 5 a.m. Saturday.
The NWS urges caution while traveling. “Strong crosswinds will be hazardous to lightweight or high-profile vehicles, including campers and tractor trailers,” reads the warning.
Wildfires have the potential to spread rapidly. “The most extreme conditions are expected to be along Highway 93 from Jefferson County into Boulder County and along US-36 north of Boulder to the Larimer County line and westward,” reads the NWS warning.
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 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 their deductibles.
"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-dollar deductible?"
It's a different story for more intense damage, like a tree falling on a home, which would cause significant damage and likely meet deductibles.
Either way, filing multiple claims can negatively impact your insurance.
"Multiple claims over a short period of time can put your insurance at risk, or raise your premium," she said.
The Public Service Commission, the state agency that regulates power companies, is accepting public comments on Xcel’s current public safety shutoff, as it works to develop new rules and standards for the future.
Editor’s note: Ishan Thakore contributed reporting.
