NEWS RELEASE
XCEL ENERGY
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With major work completed to restore electricity and natural gas service to homes and businesses affected by the worst wildfires in Colorado’s history, Xcel Energy and its crews will continue to work to support customers who have lost their homes or whose property had significant damage and may not be able to accept electric or natural gas service at this point.
“It’s an honor to serve millions of Coloradans, and it has been heartbreaking to see the devastation, but inspiring to see how communities have pulled together to support the people who have lost so much,” said Bob Frenzel, chairman, president and CEO—Xcel Energy. “I am so grateful to our crews for their dedication and their tireless work to help our customers as they begin the recovery from this tragic event. We know the road ahead will be long for many people, and we will be here to support them as the community rebuilds.”
“We have been deeply saddened by the tragedy that has struck our community and are grateful to the emergency responders and everyone who has supported our crews’ work to get the lights and natural gas back on,” said Alice Jackson, president—Xcel Energy Colorado. “We are in this for the long haul and are proud to be part of this amazingly resilient, supportive community.”
As a result of the fires and windstorm, followed by snow and sub-freezing temperatures, more than 100,000 electric customers lost service, and natural gas service was turned off for 13,000 customers as a safety precaution in the Superior and Louisville area. In the days that followed, hundreds of crew members worked around the clock to get the lights and heat back on for customers.
Although service to customers is largely restored, there is still work to be done to make permanent repairs to both systems in the hardest hit areas. Crews will continue to work directly with affected customers and the company is ready to support residents as they look to rebuild. Customers still without service whose properties are able to receive service should contact us:
- Any natural gas customers who have not yet had their pilot lights re-lit following the restoration of gas service should contact us at 1-800-895-2999 when they plan to return to their homes. Someone 18 years old or older must be present for the relight to be completed.
- Electric customers who do not have service to their property but would like to receive it can call us at 1-800-895-1999.
Xcel Energy employees will be available to talk with residents and answer questions for the rest of this week at the Disaster Assistance Center, which was opened by Boulder County and a network of community partners to help people who lost homes in or were displaced by the fire. The center is located at the Boulder County Southeast County Hub at 1755 South Public Road in Lafayette and will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. each day. Residents can get help with a range of services including property loss and filing claims for assistance, financial and food assistance, mental health supports, transportation, and more. Specialists will be available at the center from Boulder County Housing and Human Services, Public Health, and Community Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Mental Health Partners, many other area government and nonprofit organizations and insurers.
Xcel Energy would like to thank the many energy companies from across the country who sent crews to help in the restoration work. Hundreds of employees from other utilities, as well as many contractors, joined Xcel Energy crews to restore service in challenging conditions.
Moving forward, customers and media can continue to find updates on xcelenergy.com.
As an important safety reminder, if you ever detect a sulfur or “rotten egg” smell inside or near your home, it could be the odorant we put in natural gas to help detect leaks. If you notice that smell, leave your home immediately. Do not turn any electrical devices on or off and never use any phone until you are outside and safely away from the area. Then, call us at 1-800-895-2999. In a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.
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