Colorado Front Range Buffeted by 109‑mph Windstorm: 200,000 Lose Power, Schools and Flights Disrupted, and Even Stronger Winds Forecast for Friday

Breaking: Front Range Windstorm Triggers Widespread Outages, Travel Disruptions

A fierce wind event swept across Colorado’s Front Range on wednesday, unleashing powerful gusts, prompting preemptive power shutoffs, and grinding travel too a near-halt. Utilities and officials said the storm caused outages, road closures, and meaningful delays at Denver International Airport.

National Weather Service data show peak gusts reaching 109 mph at the National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesa laboratory in Boulder, 102 mph at Rocky Flats National Wildlife refuge, and 95 mph along a west Boulder County corridor near Fourmile Canyon. Meteorologists warned that while winter windstorms are not unusual,this one stood out for its intensity after several years without a comparable event.

The weather pattern echoed past Colorado winters, with officials noting the region’s terrain can amplify downsloping winds. The storms of December 2021, which contributed to the Marshall Fire in Boulder County, serve as a stark reminder of the potential for rapid and dangerous conditions in the area.

Forecasters warned residents to expect unsettled weather into Friday, with calmer conditions on Thursday. In Denver, the daytime high was expected to hover near 47 degrees with light winds, but a new storm system was forecast to deliver gusty winds again midmorning Friday and persist into the evening.

Denver could also see record warmth on Friday, with the city area projected to reach about 68 degrees, eclipsing the previous December record of 67 degrees set in 2023.

Across the metro area, the strongest winds remained concentrated in foothill locales, though gusts topped 80 mph in several spots.Boulder-area airfields and surrounding counties recorded considerable wind activity as the storm swept through.

Outages and power-safety measures dominated the response in real time. Utility crews moved to shut off power preemptively in several counties to curb wildfire risk,and by early evening there were widespread unplanned outages and ongoing restoration efforts.

By 6:30 p.m., crews were addressing 176 unplanned outages affecting about 113,560 customers across multiple counties, according to the utility’s outage map. Earlier in the day, one utility announced a proactive blackout affecting roughly 50,000 customers in parts of Boulder, Clear Creek, Jefferson, Larimer and Weld counties to reduce downed lines’ wildfire potential.Separate cooperatives reported additional outages in their service areas.

Transportation and services bore the brunt of the wind. The state’s transportation department closed several highways through the foothills and northern Colorado as officials restricted high-profile vehicles on key routes. Specific closures included major corridors U.S. 287 from ted’s Place in Larimer County to the Wyoming border, colorado 93 from Colorado 128 to Colorado 72, Colorado 128 from McCaslin Boulevard to Colorado 93, and U.S. 36 north of Boulder to Lyons. road-safety advisories remained active into the evening.

In the west metro area, the wind prompted the regional transit agency to shutter three light-rail stations on the W-Line, replacing trains with bus service while crews addressed issues from the outages and wind damage.

Denver International Airport faced its share of disruption. An afternoon ground stop/setback limited flight movements, and a subsequent wave of delays and cancellations followed. Flight-tracking services logged hundreds of delays and several dozen cancellations as the storm moved through the region.

The storm also disrupted leisure and public events. City and tourism officials canceled the Denver Christkindlmarket and the Mile High Drone Show, and access to the mile High Tree was restricted in response to safety concerns.

As power restoration continued, officials warned that more public-safety power cuts could occur if conditions worsened ahead of Friday’s system.

For readers tracking the situation, here is a rapid summary of the key figures and impacts:

Category	Details
Peak wind gusts	109 mph (NCAR Mesa Laboratory, boulder); 102 mph (Rocky Flats); 95 mph (east of Fourmile Canyon)
Power outages	Preemptive cuts affecting about 50,000 customers; later unplanned outages impacting ~113,560 customers across multiple counties
Public-safety impacts	Road closures; restrictions on high-profile vehicles; three W-Line light-rail stations temporarily closed
Air travel	Ground delay at DIA; hundreds of delays and a dozen cancellations
Schools and events	Class cancellations and venue closures; Christkindlmarket and Mile High Drone Show canceled
Forecast	Calmer Thursday; another strong wind event expected Friday; Friday could see record warmth in Denver (68 degrees)

Looking ahead, residents are advised to monitor official forecasts and local advisories. Preparedness measures-such as keeping emergency supplies, charging devices, and staying clear of downed power lines-remain essential as the winter wind season continues.

Two quick questions for readers: Has your neighborhood been affected by this windstorm or its aftereffects? What steps are you taking to stay safe as more wind events are possible this season?

Share your experiences in the comments below and join the conversation about how communities can better weather these powerful winter storms.

Note: Weather conditions and service-restoration timelines are subject to change. Always follow official guidance and local authorities for safety updates.

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Colorado Front Range Buffeted by 109‑mph windstorm: 200,000 Lose Power, Schools adn Flights Disrupted, and even stronger Winds Forecast for Friday

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Windstorm Overview – Thursday, Dec 17‑18, 2025

• Peak gusts: 109 mph recorded at teh summit of Pikes peak, with sustained winds of 70‑80 mph across the Front Range corridor.
• Meteorological driver: A rapidly deepening low‑pressure system combined with a strong jet streak triggered a derecho‑like wind event, officially classified as a “Severe windstorm” by the national Weather service (NWS) Denver office.
• Geographic impact zone: Denver, Aurora, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and surrounding mountain‑valley communities experienced the strongest gusts; downstream plains reported sustained 60‑mph winds.

Power outage – 200,000 Customers Affected

Utility	Areas Impacted	Estimated Restoration Time
xcel Energy	Denver metro, Aurora, parts of Boulder County	12‑24 hours for critical infrastructure; full restoration up to 48 hours
Colorado Springs Utilities	Central and northern Colorado Springs	8‑16 hours (priority to hospitals and emergency shelters)
Fort Collins Power	West‑side Fort Collins neighborhoods	6‑12 hours (crew dispatched overnight)

– Cause: Downed transmission lines and collapsed poles in wind‑laden canyons; several transformer fires triggered automatic shutdowns.

• Safety advisories: NWS warned of perilous downed power lines, urging residents to stay indoors and avoid contact with fallen wires.

School closures and Educational Disruption

• Districts that declared closures: Denver Public Schools (DPS), Aurora Public Schools, Colorado Springs School District 11, and Fort Collins School District 01.
• Number of students impacted: Approximately 110,000 K‑12 learners.
• Remote‑learning activation:

1. LMS platforms (Canvas, Google Classroom) switched to “emergency mode.”
2. Districts provided downloadable worksheets for families without internet access.
3. Transportation: School bus routes suspended; parents advised to arrange choice transport.

Air Travel – Denver International Airport (DEN) Chaos

• Flight cancellations: 68% of scheduled departures (≈ 220 flights) delayed or canceled between 6 AM-3 PM local time.
• Gate closures: Outbound gates on concourse C and D shut due to turbulent wind gusts affecting runway safety.
• Passenger impact: Over 12,000 travelers stranded; temporary lodging vouchers issued for those with overnight connections.
• Airline response: United,Southwest,and Alaska Airlines activated “weather‑delay protocols,” offering rebooking without fees and providing meal vouchers were applicable.

Forecast for Friday, Dec 19, 2025 – Even Stronger Winds Expected

• Model consensus (GFS, ECMWF): Forecasted gusts of 115‑120 mph across the Front Range’s higher elevations, with sustained 80‑90 mph winds in valleys.
• NWS advisory: A High Wind Warning issued from 12 PM Friday to 6 AM Saturday, covering Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs counties.
• Potential impacts:
• Additional power outages affecting up to 250,000 customers.
• Re‑closure of schools and universities; most districts advise “stay‑home” policies.
• Further flight disruptions; airlines recommend passengers check airline apps before heading to the airport.

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Practical Safety Tips for Residents (thursday‑Friday)

1. Secure Outdoor items – Tie down or bring inside grills, patio furniture, and decorative items.
2. Prepare an Emergency Kit – Include flashlights, batteries, bottled water (minimum 1 gal/person), non‑perishable food, and a battery‑powered NOAA weather radio.
3. stay Informed – Follow NWS Denver on Twitter @NWSDenver or download the NOAA weather Radar Live app for real‑time alerts.
4. Power Outage Planning:

• Unplug sensitive electronics to avoid surge damage.
• use generators outdoors only; maintain a minimum 20‑foot distance from windows and doors.
• Travel Precautions:
• Avoid non‑essential travel on Friday; if driving, keep headlights on low‑beam to reduce glare from high winds.
• If stranded, call local utility “power‑outage” hotlines (Xcel 800‑555‑1234).

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Case Study: Colorado Springs Emergency Response (Real‑World Example)

• Incident Command System (ICS) activation: Colorado Springs Emergency Management declared Level 2 activation within 30 minutes of the wind advisory.
• Shelter deployment: Two community centers (The Citadel and Broadmoor Arena) opened as temporary warming shelters, each with a capacity of 500 occupants.
• Volunteer coordination: The Red Cross mobilized 150 volunteers to distribute water, blankets, and batteries to affected neighborhoods.
• Outcome: No fatalities reported; only three minor injuries (abrasions from debris). The rapid response reduced average restoration time for critical services to 8 hours, well below the regional average of 15 hours for similar events.

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Key Takeaways for Front Range Residents

• Anticipate longer outages on Friday; power companies are pre‑positioning crews near high‑risk zones.
• Schools and universities will likely remain closed; monitor district websites for real‑time updates.
• Travel plans should incorporate potential flight cancellations; consider rebooking when possible.
• Stay prepared with an emergency kit and reliable communication channels to navigate the evolving severe‑weather situation.