My neighborhood and I are deeply affected by an ongoing issue related to electrical outages in our community. We are a group of 24 homes in South Daniels Garden in Lakewood, Colorado, and we frequently experience unexpected power outages from our provider, Xcel Energy. These outages are more than mere inconveniences; they significantly disrupt our daily lives, and the reason is due to Xcel stripping the budget for vegetation mitigation. The outages are caused by overgrown vegetation, specifically trees, along the ditch.  Maintenance of the vegetation along the ditch is Xcel’s responsibility.  This was identified after I engaged with Xcel in 2020 to attempt a resolution to the outages.  A computer attached to my electrical meter confirmed the outages were related to the overgrown vegetation.  Xcel stated that this became an issue as they no longer budget funds for vegetation mitigation although would put in a work order to address.  

Over the past week, my neighbors and I have experienced four power outages under the guise of "public safety," with no prior information provided. Indeed, the interruptions have ended up causing harm and worry, especially for community members with medical conditions who rely on uninterrupted power for their healthcare needs.  Furthermore, the lack of advance notice for these planned outages is deeply worrisome.  While this was a more extensive outage, impacting more than the 24 homes, neighborhoods surrounding us in Littleton, much closer to The Quarry fire, we’re not impacted by “Public Safety” outages.  The outages were on 7/28, 7/29, 7/31 & 8/2.  Xcel’s repeated explanation is “Public Safety” of which is vague and a more detailed explanation is needed.  

When there are larger outages impacting other areas, we are always the last to have our power restored.  This often results in power outages between 24-48 hours.  Xcel restores power based on size of outage and 24 homes impacted doesn’t garner immediate attention.  A neighbor who has lived in the neighborhood since 1978 indicated the neighborhood has had unreliable electrical since 1980.  He re-iterated that we are always the first to loose power and always the last to have our power restored. 

Additionally, we have faced financial setbacks due to these power outages. As power cuts occur without notice, we have often had to discard large amounts of spoiled food, leading to increased grocery bills.  For those who work from home, these power outages have lead to taking unexpected PTO.  For those who are “on call” having no electric impacts cell phone and internet causing havoc. Whereas if prior notice was provided all this could have been avoided. 

Repeated attempts at resolving this issue with Xcel Energy have resulted in dismissals, offering us no explanation or potential solutions to our problem.

While a formal complaint was previously filed with the PUC, Xcel replied that they would trim the vegetation and the PUC accepted their reply, no further action taken and case closed.

Xcel owns directional boring equipment.  If profits prevent them from budgeting funds for vegetation mitigation, why don’t they use their equipment to bury the lines along the ditch? 

This petition hopes to bring attention to the urgent need for reliable, consistent electrical service in our community, and for mandatory prior notifications from power providers when outages are planned. We believe that these changes could significantly minimize the undue impact on the residents of South Daniels Garden in Lakewood.

Let's raise our collective voice against this frustrating inconsistency. Please sign this petition to help effect change, enhance the reliability of our electrical service, and ensure citizens are provided with the proper prior notice they deserve.

You can file a formal complaint with the PUC by calling  

You can also express your concerns with Xcel executives by calling  303-294-2433.