Xcel Energy files new wildfire mitigation plan with Colorado regulators

Xcel Energy wants to intensify efforts in Colorado to minimize the risks associated with wildfires that could be caused by electric equipment, according to a new plan the company recently filed with state regulators.

“Keeping our customers and communities safe across our service territory is paramount,” said Xcel Energy President and CEO Bob Frenzel. “Our goal is to ensure that no catastrophic wildfire is started by Xcel Energy assets.”

Xcel Energy proposes investments and improvements to existing measures, as well as adding new technology and incorporating evolving risk assessment methodologies and modern modeling tools, according to its 2025-2027 Wildfire Mitigation Plan, which was submitted to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) on June 27.

“While we’ve made significant wildfire safety progress in Colorado and achieved key goals, there is still work to be done to meet the evolving threat,” Frenzel said. “This plan lays out our proposed path forward to help build a more fire-resilient Colorado, working in partnership with others who are also fighting to protect our communities.”

Some of Xcel Energy’s proposed investments and improvements listed in its mitigation plan include adding hundreds of weather stations, which provide detailed information near power lines and equipment, and tripling the number of artificial intelligence cameras for early smoke detection.

The company also would like to update the schedule for pole and equipment inspections in wildfire risk zones using inspections to create 3D maps of equipment and terrain in high-threat areas, according to its plan.

“This proposed plan utilizes strategies and technologies that have proven to be successful around the country in reducing wildfire threats from utility equipment,” said Robert Kenney, president of Xcel Energy–Colorado. “The plan builds on work that’s already underway, expanding the scope, pace, and scale of what’s already in place, while leveraging new and emerging technology to go even further.”

Xcel Energy’s plan also would institute a multi-year program to identify and replace or upgrade equipment and underground targeted power lines, replace and repair poles, and rebuild transmission lines in high-risk areas.

Among several items, the company also wants to increase the number of feeders that can be set remotely to safety settings and add equipment in high-risk areas and new technology to improve the program, according to the mitigation filing.

Additionally, Xcel plans to grow its wildfire risk team to include more expertise in the areas of meteorology and fire science; risk management, assessment, and analytics; wildfire strategy and performance; regulatory and policy; and incident command for severe risk events.

The plan also includes new customer, public safety partner, and community outreach protocols.

“Xcel Energy is committed to public safety and to reducing the possibility and impact of wildfires for our customers, communities, and way of life in Colorado,” Kenney said.

To help pay for the mitigation plan, Xcel Energy also requested that the Colorado PUC approve a rate increase that would begin on Jan. 1, 2028, for a typical residential bill, which would rise about 9.6 percent (or $8.88) per month through incremental, bi-annual changes.

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