Businesses hit hard by Boulder power shutoffs
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Power poles along Colorado 93 snapped in half during a Dec. 17 windstorm. Photo: RJ Sangosti/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images
Boulder-area businesses affected by December's wind-caused power outages reported losing an average of $25,000, with some suffering six-figure financial hits, according to a new survey.
Why it matters: The outages — many preemptive shutoffs intended to reduce wildfire risk — have intensified criticism of Xcel Energy's planning, communication and infrastructure, particularly from small businesses with limited ability to absorb prolonged closures.
Driving the news: The Boulder Chamber, along with several other local business and tourism advocacy organizations, surveyed 298 area businesses following the December windstorms.
- 257 businesses reported some disruption due to the electrical outages, planned or unplanned.
- The average reported financial loss was $25,302.
- Nine businesses said their losses exceeded $100,000.
By the numbers: Hospitality businesses were hit hardest.
- Roughly one in four affected businesses were in the hospitality sector.
- Six of the nine businesses reporting losses above $100,000 were hotels, restaurants or bars.
Between the lines: Businesses said communication failures — not just the outages themselves — compounded the damage.
- About 80% of businesses indicated they lost power for multiple days.
- Many raised concerns about unclear timelines for restoration and limited financial relief or mitigation options.
What they're saying: "While the business respondents understand the safety rationale for the power outages, they need better communication in the lead-up to and during the shutoff period," the Boulder Chamber said in a statement.
- Respondents also called for a "more targeted approach" to shutoffs and long-term infrastructure upgrades to reduce future disruptions.
The big picture: The outages are among several issues the city of Boulder raised with Xcel in a draft letter to the utility's president initially made public on the City Council site.
- The letter criticized Xcel for missing carbon-reduction benchmarks, as well as emission reductions and energy affordability, according to the Daily Camera.
- In a statement to Axios Boulder, Xcel officials said they "appreciate Boulder's feedback highlighting areas of progress we've made and look forward to our continuing collaboration on shared goals."
Catch up quick: Boulder ended its effort to create a municipal electric utility in 2020 in exchange for Xcel committing to reducing emissions and helping Boulder reach 100% renewable electricity by 2030.
- Xcel missed its key emission milestones in 2022 and 2024.
What we're watching: City Council delayed approving and actually sending the letter, and it removed the letter from its website, though the initial posting meant Xcel officials have already seen the draft.
- The letter is now scheduled to be discussed and possibly formally adopted on Jan. 22.
- Meanwhile, Xcel is now asking regulators to approve natural gas rates that would boost the average residential bill by $7.59 a month.