As the dust settles after last week’s windstorm and widespread shutoffs, local officials and business leaders largely agree that Xcel Energy’s response was an improvement over its first planned outage in April 2024, with clearer warnings, better maps and fewer surprises.
But in mountain communities, where some residents went days without power, water or reliable communication, the takeaway was different: The same vulnerabilities remain, restoration can still stretch without a clear timeline, and the promises of a hardened grid still feel more aspirational than scheduled.
Boulder County Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann said the improved communication mattered, but more work is needed…