Xcel Energy: Over 10,000 Denver Customers Lose Power
Over 10,000 people in the Denver area lost power early this week. Homes went dark. Traffic lights stopped working. Some businesses had to close their doors. The power outage hit parts of Denver, Arvada, Westminster, and Lakewood. It was sudden, and many of us were left wondering what happened. The company behind the power lines, Xcel Energy, is still working on bringing electricity back.
People are frustrated. This isn’t the first power outage we’ve had. In recent years, blackouts in Colorado have become more common. People are also waiting longer to get their power back.
So, what’s really going on? Why is our power going out more often? And what is Xcel doing to fix it? In this article, we’ll break it down. We’ll look at what caused the outage, how it’s affecting our communities, and what might change in the future.
A Surprise Power Outage Hits Denver Metro
Late on June 10, over 10,000 Xcel Energy customers lost power in parts of the Denver area. The biggest outage zones included Denver, Arvada, and Westminster, nearly 9,770 customers in those three cities, plus about 978 in Lakewood.
Houses lost power, traffic signals stopped working, and stores had to close. It happened fast and caught us all off guard, both without light and without answers.
At this time, Xcel Energy has not released a final reason for the outage.
Sometimes, strong winds or equipment failures leave lines damaged. Other times, emergency line shutdowns are used to prevent bigger problems. But for now, the exact cause is still a mystery.
The Real-World Impact
We felt it firsthand. Cars stopped mid-intersection. Crossing arms froze down. Shops had to close early. One Lakewood resident shared on social media, “Power out in the Two Creeks neighborhood… all the crossing arms… stuck in the down position,”. Across the metro, businesses scrambled, and families lost hot meals in seconds.
And getting updates wasn’t always easy. Xcel’s outage map shows hotspots, but calls to check status are required. Long waits. We all know someone who sat on hold for minutes or even hours. The outage map helped. But the customer service system creaked under pressure.
Outages Are Growing in Colorado
This isn’t a one-off event. In 2024, over 90,000 customers in Xcel’s Colorado service area experienced six or more outages. That’s double the number from recent years. The average downtime jumped to 350 minutes per customer in 2024, up from 166 minutes over the prior decade.
And it’s more than just blackouts. Complaints to the Colorado PUC rose by 100% between 2022 and 2024. Call wait times nearly doubled, averaging over 7 minutes. In part, Xcel lost staff and funding for customer service while supply costs and demand climbed.
How Xcel Is Responding
Xcel crews are working hard. As of evening June 10, they had restored power to around 63,000 customers statewide, with 87,000 still offline. That included lines proactively shut off during storms or fire risk.
We can track updates on Xcel’s interactive outage map. It shows real-time reports, outage size, and estimated restoration times. And it lets users report a loss of power so crews can respond faster.
Old Wires, Big Bills
Infrastructure aging shows. On the Reddit board r/Denver, one user shared:
Another added that areas with underground cables saw far fewer issues. The Colorado Sun noted that just 15 feeder lines, 2% of all lines, cause around 18% of all outages. That shows where upgrades may have the biggest payoff.
What Comes Next?
For Customers:
- Check Xcel’s outage map regularly and report your status.
- Prepare now: charge devices, keep flashlights handy, and know your backup plan.
- Call your utility if the outage lasts longer than expected.
For Xcel & Regulators:
- Fix the worst lines, especially those causing repeated outages.
- Strengthen customer support: reduce hold times and staff shortages.
- Invest in the grid. Colorado approved $1.7 billion for the Colorado Power Pathway, part of a $7.4 billion modernization project.
Final Thoughts
Losing power is more than a nuisance. It affects safety. It disrupts daily life. And it tests trust in essential services.
This outage may be a single event. But it’s clear: it’s part of a growing trend. As weather shifts, demand grows, and infrastructure ages, we need a stronger, smarter grid. Xcel and the PUC have taken notice. Now, what matters most is action.
We’ll keep tracking what happens next. We’ll look at how fast power comes back. And if Xcel can repair the biggest trouble spots.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Xcel Energy plans to provide safe, clean, and reliable electricity. They want to use more renewable energy, like wind and solar, and cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2030.
Xcel Energy stock may be a good choice for some. It offers steady returns and pays dividends. But, like all stocks, it carries risks and depends on market changes.
Xcel Energy gets electricity from several sources. These include coal, natural gas, wind, solar, and nuclear power. They are adding more renewable energy to lower pollution over time.
Disclaimer:
This content is made for learning only. It is not meant to give financial advice. Always check the facts yourself. Financial decisions need detailed research.