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Power outages, impassable roads, extra crews work to restore power in northern Colorado after winter storm pummels state

The Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority warned of dangerous roads, many still impassable, while Poudre Valley REA continues to restore power to customers.

LARIMER COUNTY, Colo. — The Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority (LETA 911) warned of possible extended power outages and unpassable roads in the county Monday after blizzard-like conditions hit northern Colorado. 

The LETA Twitter page continued to give updates to residents on how to get help:

On Sunday, LETA tweeted about the impact the snow had on power lines that created extended power outages. "If you lose power, or if you are without power and have medical needs that are power dependent (i.e., ventilator) and cannot withstand an extended power outage, call or text 911," the agency tweeted.  

LETA asked people who head out to drive in the winter conditions and get stuck to not call 911 stating, "9-1-1 is for life safety emergencies only.  Residential streets may not be reached by plows until Tuesday."  

Poudre Valley REA (PVREA), the utility for the area, tweeted that crews were making progress Monday and that nearly 1,300 customers were still without power, down from 9,200. 

The utility said crews were having a hard time getting onto some county roads for repairs, particularly east of Highway 85. 

PVREA tweeted that it is taking help from crews from Holy Cross Energy and Yampa Valley Electric as they try to get power restored. 

RELATED: Weather blog: Blizzard warning in effect for I-25 corridor until midnight

RELATED: Red Cross opens up warming shelters as road conditions deteriorate across state

> See the full outage map for the area here. 

Xcel's outage map showed smaller outages around metro Denver and the I-25 corridor as of Monday. 

An update at 1:49 p.m. Monday said Xcel crews were working on 370 outages affecting just over 13,000 customers. 

In the lead-up to this storm, Xcel said it had crews on standby to respond to any downed lines and make repairs as quickly as possible. On Sunday at 9 p.m., approximately 29,000 customers were without electricity in northern Colorado, Xcel said.

More than 450 employees, contractors and mutual assistance partners worked Sunday night to try to restore service, Xcel said.

Reporting outages

Xcel customers can report outages in the following ways:

  • Xcel Energy mobile app available on iOS and Android
  • Online at xcelenergy.com/out
  • Text ‘OUT’ to 98936 to report an outage or text STAT to the same number to check a power outage status.
  • Call 1-800-895-1999 and follow the prompts—the automated phone reporting system lets customers report outages in less than 60 seconds. Once the problem's cause is identified, the system or an Xcel Energy representative will provide customers with an estimated restoration time.

Home emergency kits

Xcel Energy recommends assembling an easily accessible kit that can be used in a power outage event. Useful items may include:

  • Xcel Energy phone numbers - 1-800-895-1999 for residential or 1-800-481-4700 for business
  • Battery-powered radio or television
  • Flashlights
  • Batteries
  • Back up phone chargers
  • A phone that does not require electricity
  • Non-electric alarm clock
  • Bottled water and nonperishable food
  • Manual can opener
  • First aid kit
  • Extension cords (for partial outages)
  • Manufacturer's instructions on how to manually open power-operated doors (e.g., garage doors)

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