More than 2,000 Coloradans have agreed to settle their claims with Xcel Energy over the 2021 Marshall Fire, lawyers said during a hearing in Boulder district court on Wednesday. That represents roughly half of the individuals who sued Xcel Energy for its alleged role in sparking the state’s costliest wildfire.
Their claims sought to prove that the utility and two telecom companies were liable for sparking the blaze and should pay hefty damages.
But on the eve of a jury trial in late September, Xcel and the companies agreed to pay around $640 million to settle the claims. As part of its “agreements in principle,” Xcel admitted to no wrongdoing and maintains that its equipment did not spark the fire…