Due to critical fire weather and very high winds expected in Colorado on Monday, Xcel Energy is making plans for possible power shutoffs in four counties in the Denver area.

Xcel officials said that they're evaluating the potential need to proactively turn off power to Adams, Boulder, Jefferson and eastern Denver county customers on Monday in order to prevent wildfires. They said the temporary shutoff would begin around 11 a.m.

"Temporarily shutting off power – known as a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) – is not a step taken lightly and is only used when other methods are not enough to help prevent wildfires," Xcel said.

City of Boulder and Boulder County officials said they expect to have a definitive decision on the proactive power shutoff by Sunday evening.

Even without the shuto

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