Name: When will Xcel Energy bury its power lines in Colorado?
Uploaded: 2026-01-17T14:47:43.175Z
Duration: 2 min 25 s
Description: Denver7 is getting answers as crews work to restore power in Larimer and Weld Counties on Friday after a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) due to high winds and dry conditions.

Denver7 is getting answers as crews work to restore power in Larimer and Weld Counties on Friday after a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) due to high winds and dry conditions.

Colorado

Thousands of residents in northern Colorado remain without power following a public safety shutoff by Xcel Energy, with restoration efforts focused on areas like Greeley and Fort Collins. Xcel crews are conducting thorough inspections, including the use of drones and helicopters, before restoring service to affected communities.

The outages have renewed public interest in burying power lines to reduce future disruptions. Xcel Energy's Colorado President, Robert Kenny, stated that while the company plans to bury 50 miles of lines in high-risk wildfire areas, broader efforts are limited by cost and terrain considerations. Many residents continue to advocate for expanding underground lines to enhance safety.

When will Xcel Energy bury its power lines in Colorado?

Thousands of Coloradans still without power more than 12 hours after Xcel Energy initiated the public safety power shutoff. I'm glad you're with us tonight. I'm Shannon Ogden. Now, Xcel is vowing to work through the night to get the lights back on for its northern Colorado customers. According to Xcel's outage map, about 7,000 customers without power, most in Greeley and in Fort Collins. And tonight, we're following up with people frustrated with these outages. We wanted to find out more about Xcel's process of restoring power. Denver 7's Claire Lavazorio headed to Larimer County once again to see how work's going to get the lights back on. And tonight, she reports on possible long-term solutions as residents and Xcel leaders navigate what could become Colorado's new normal. We're in Timnath, where Xcel Energy crews are in the process of restoring power for this community. But unfortunately, it isn't as easy as the flip of a switch. It is insane. That's how neighbors in northern Colorado are describing Friday's wild wind, the gusts kicking up dust and even closing down part of I-25 near the Wyoming border. It's scary. The wind gusts and, you know, just driving next to people and you never know when that gust is gonna come. In the town of Timnath, lights are out and lines are de-energized. Xcel crews are working around the clock to inspect every line for power is restored for thousands in Larimer and Weld counties. Somebody has to put eyes on those lines and we've got hundreds of people out prepared to start visibly, physically inspecting those lines. While the energy giant says it uses drones, even helicopters to speed up that process, this public safety power shut off is leaving many asking the same question. When will Xcel bury its lines? A Denver 7 viewer asking us just that during the last preemptive power shut off in mid-December. Adam Bloom wrote, would love it if you could ask the Xcel representative about the possibility of burying the lines. So we took that question to Xcel's Colorado President Robert Kenny. We've heard loud and clear from our customers that they would like us to explore doing more. He says an ongoing wildfire mitigation plan will bury lines, but only 50 miles in high risk areas. Kenny says cost and terrain are carefully considered, but many hope more miles underground are in Colorado's future. Absolutely, absolutely. Underground power lines for sure. I'd rather be safe than sorry. In Larimer County, Claire Lavazorio, Denver seven.

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