Denver7 Takes Business Owner's Concerns on Power Outages to Xcel Energy Leader
Xcel Energy aims to restore power by Friday night for most customers impacted by Colorado power shutoffs, as business owners in Larimer County report lost revenue. They urge the utility to address long-term solutions for mitigating wildfire risk. Denver7 brings these concerns to Xcel Energy's top leadership in Colorado.
During the latest round of planned public safety power shutoffs (PSPS) by Xcel Energy, Me Oh My Coffee and Pie in Laporte used extension cords and generators to stay open on Friday. Approximately 9,000 Xcel Energy customers in Larimer and Weld counties were notified of the planned outage several days in advance.
Owner Jason Gaona, serving a limited menu starting at 8 a.m., expressed that while he was more prepared this time, the business still faced financial impacts. He mentioned experiencing four major outages in the past two years, highlighting the frequency and stress of these events.
In Boulder, some businesses lost over $100,000 during the December public safety power outage, as reported by Jessica Porter. Even with customers coming and going, the impact on the business's bottom line was significant.
Gaona advocates for buried power lines for businesses heavily reliant on Friday afternoon sales, suggesting that this could be a long-term solution. Denver7 took his concerns to Xcel Energy Colorado President Robert Kenney, who acknowledged the need for targeted undergrounding and a wildfire mitigation plan filed with the PUC, their regulator.
Xcel Energy is also upgrading its infrastructure with more resilient poles and wires across the region, prioritizing areas with the highest wildfire risk. Gaona remains hopeful for a swift restoration of power, aiming to resume normal operations by Saturday morning.
For more stories and to share your voice, contact Adria Iraheta at Denver7, who specializes in education and Arapahoe County reporting.
