Good Monday morning, Boulder. Today’s BRL Today is sponsored by Visit Boulder. Learn how to open your home for the 2027 Sundance Film Festival in Boulder with a City of Boulder Festival Lodging Rental License.
Leading today’s edition: A Boulder County wildfire ignited while Xcel Energy was restoring power after its December windstorm shutoff, according to a local fire official, raising new questions about whether turning electricity back on can recreate the wildfire risk the shutoffs are meant to reduce. Fire Chief Michael Schmitt said a previously reported downed and damaged powerline in Sunshine Canyon was re-energized during restoration, sparking a fire while high winds were still present.
John Herrick reports that the incident has renewed scrutiny of Xcel’s internal communication and inspection systems, as state regulators weigh new rules for planned shutoffs and restorations. A second fire days later in Fourmile Canyon, known as the Wild Turkey Fire, also appears to have been caused by damaged Xcel infrastructure, adding to broader concerns about grid safety during extreme wind events…