Wind Storm Causes Power Cuts in Front Range and Metro Denver
School districts, colleges, and universities in the Front Range and metro Denver area are bracing for potential power cuts during a wind storm that is forecasted to bring gusts of up to 90 mph in the foothills on Wednesday.
Xcel Energy has announced plans to cut power to 52,000 customers starting at 10 a.m. to reduce the risk of wildfires caused by downed powerlines as the storm moves from the mountains into metro Denver.
Originally, more than 500,000 customers were expected to be impacted, but the estimate was revised to focus on the foothills and parts of northern Colorado, including Jefferson, Boulder, Clear Creek, Larimer, and Weld counties.
Most schools are expected to remain open, with officials staying in close contact with Xcel Energy and emergency services to monitor the situation.
As of Tuesday night, the University of Colorado Boulder, Weld RE-4 School District, Clear Creek School District, and Poudre School District have confirmed class cancellations or adjusted schedules.
Impacts on Front Range Schools, Colleges, and Universities (as of 8:10 p.m. Tuesday):
- University of Colorado Boulder: All classes (both online and in-person) are canceled, and administrative offices are closed. All events are also canceled.
- Clear Creek School District: All schools are closed.
- Weld RE-4 School District: Preschool and elementary classes canceled, middle schools releasing at 11:25 a.m., high schools releasing at 12:10 p.m. Afterschool activities are canceled.
- Poudre School District: Several schools closed including Bethke Elementary, Timnath Elementary, Timnath Middle-High School, and others.
- Red Rocks Community College will be closed.
- Thompson Valley School District: Normal schedules unless power outages exceed two hours.
- Boulder Valley School District: Regular schedules with updates on individual school websites.
- St. Vrain School District: Regular schedules.
- Jeffco Public Schools: Updates pending.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
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