Concerns Rise Over Power Supply Reliability in Colorado

Residents across various neighborhoods in Colorado, including Happy Canyon in Denver and Applewood in Golden, are increasingly questioning the reliability of their power supply. At a recent community meeting in Sterling Ranch, long-time Xcel customer Kalish expressed frustration over frequent power outages, noting that she has experienced multiple disruptions each month for an extended period. This sentiment is echoed by many in the area, who are left scrambling to find alternative power sources during outages. The issue of power outages is not isolated to Colorado; it reflects a broader trend of increasing load growth across the United States. As communities expand and demand for electricity rises, residents are left wondering if utility companies can keep pace with the growing needs. In response to inquiries about the outages, Xcel Energy attributed the disruptions in the Applewood area to a combination of weather events, equipment failures, and safety concerns for their crews. While some residents acknowledge that not all issues can be blamed on Xcel, they are calling for more proactive measures to address the outages. The utility company has indicated that enhanced wildfire safety systems are leading to more frequent inspections, which may contribute to the increased downtime of power lines. Xcel has advised customers to update their notification preferences to stay informed during outages, but many residents remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these measures.