Xcel Energy has informed the City that West View Recreation Center (10747 W. 108th Ave.) and a portion of homes in the Countryside and Meadowview Estates neighborhoods are expected to be included in their Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) beginning Friday, December 19, at 5 am. Residents can view a map of the PSPS area on Xcel’s website.
The City intends to reopen the facility Saturday, December 20, if power is restored, but please monitor the City’s social media accounts or call West View Recreation Center for updates at 303-460-9530.
Residents who need to charge devices due to power loss may visit any other Westminster recreation center during regular business hours to utilize power in the lobby. Please use the guide below to find more helpful information about preparing for power outages, weather conditions, emergency notifications, safety tips, and more.
Xcel’s Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS)
Xcel says power restoration efforts to areas impacted by PSPS will begin after high winds have subsided. For information on the restoration process visit Xcel Energy Public Safety Power Shutoff Event Updates, and please continue to monitor the Xcel Outage Map.
Please note that residents may still experience an unplanned power outage due to the wind. If you have a power outage at your home, please do not call 911. Report the outage directly to Xcel Energy, who is responsible for responding and restoring service. You can report an outage by:
- Visiting xcelenergy.com/out
- Texting “OUT” to 98936
- Calling 800-895-4999
- Using the mobile app
Check the status of your electric outage by texting STAT to 98936.
Who to Call for Assistance
Please reserve 911 for life-threatening emergencies such as downed powerlines or electrical fires. During critical events, 911 operators may be inundated with requests for service. Please consider using the following numbers to report a power outage to Xcel Energy or report non-life-threatening issues.
1-800-895-4999: To report an electric outage with Xcel
303-658-4360: City of Westminster Non-Emergency Police and Fire
Red Flag Warning Restrictions
The city is under Red Flag Warning fire restrictions on Friday, December 19. A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions, including strong winds and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior. As such:
- No open fires including campfires and recreational fires
- No charcoal grills
- No open flame torches
Only liquid- or gas-fueled devices such as gas grills, gas fire pits, gas stoves, and gas lanterns are allowed. The rule of thumb is whether the fire can be “turned off,” rather than “put out.”
View updates on weather watches and warnings.
Sign Up for Emergency Alerts
LookoutAlert: Westminster’s LookoutAlert notification system keeps residents informed about critical situations, from wildfires and severe weather to evacuations, and other urgent public safety concerns. By registering your phone number and linking it to your address, you ensure you’ll receive notifications based on your location, whether home or work. You can customize which notifications you receive including calls, text messages, and/or emails.
All Westminster residents, including Adams or Jefferson County, are encouraged to register. If a resident previously registered with CodeRed, their contact information should have been transferred. However, we recommend residents to log into LookoutAlert and confirm that your contact information is up to date.
Sign up for LookoutAlert. If you do not have internet access or need assistance, please contact the Westminster Communications Center at 303-658-4360.
Genasys Protect: In partnership with Lookout Alert, Westminster uses Genasys Protect to track and alert designated evacuation zones. Genasys Protect helps residents quickly locate their evacuation zone based on their address, making it easy to follow evacuation instructions during emergencies.
Visit the Genasys Protect website to find your designated zone. You can also download the Genasys app for easy access to your evacuation zone and receive location-specific notifications directly on your mobile device. Available on both iOS and Android, the Genasys app allows you to monitor your zone in real time and stay updated on any emergency notifications, so you’re prepared wherever you are. This information, paired with real-time notifications from LookoutAlert, ensures you’re ready to act if needed.
Traffic Alerts
Westminster traffic signals in the PSPS area, or where an unplanned power outage occurs, may be non-operational or flashing yellow or red. If traffic signals are out, treat intersections as an all-way stop and always yield to pedestrians:
- Come to a full stop
- The first vehicle to arrive has the right of way
- If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right goes first
- Yield to vehicles that stopped before you
- Drivers turning left must yield to oncoming traffic going straight
- Proceed slowly and safely when it’s your turn
Safety Tips
Prepare for power outages by:
- Charging important electronics while you have power
- Preparing flashlights and lanterns with batteries
- Building an emergency preparedness kit with a battery-powered radio, flashlights, batteries, chargers, and any necessary medical equipment
- Storing non-perishable food and water in your home
- Filling up cars with fuel
- Restocking first-aid kits, medications, hand sanitizer, baby wipes and diapers if needed
- Knowing where important documents are and can be easily gathered
- Creating a safety plan to keep yourself and your family organized
Please do not operate propane, gas, or fuel-powered heaters inside of homes or poorly ventilated spaces, and do not use ovens, stoves, or barbecue smokers/grills to heat your home.
Smoke Alarms
Power outages and restoration can sometimes cause smoke or carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to beep. This is usually a maintenance alert and not an emergency, but please call the Westminster Fire Department at 303-658-4360 if your alarms continue to beep. Always dial 911 if you see smoke or flames. More troubleshooting options include:
- Check the back of the alarm: most include a label explaining the beep patterns
- Replace batteries: low-battery chirps are common after outages
- Test the alarm after replacing batteries: push and hold the test button
- Hardwired alarms may need to be reset and the battery backup may need attention
- If the alarm is 10 years old or more, replace it
Resources
Adams County Office of Emergency Management
Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management
CDOT Trip Planner (Road Conditions)