BOULDER, Colo. — Business owners in Boulder and Golden say they were hit hard after Xcel Energy shut off power to tens of thousands of customers during a strong wind event last month, a move the utility says was necessary to reduce wildfire risk.
Some reported losing thousands of dollars in spoiled food and missed sales. The public safety power shutoff (PSPS) affected many customers across the area as Xcel cut electricity over concerns of a fire being sparked.
While the company maintains the decision was made to protect public safety, Golden mayor Laura Weinberg wrote them a letter, calling out communication failures and vague timelines for shutoffs and restorations…