This weekend’s wind in Denver wrought damage across the region. More than 100,000 people lost power. Traffic lights went dark. Trees and powerlines blew down.
“For the first time in Colorado, Xcel Energy conducted a public safety power shutoff,” the energy company wrote in a statement on Sunday. “More than 600 miles of lines were proactively de-energized, and before power is turned back on, our crews will need to visually inspect the lines to ensure it is safe to do so. Xcel Energy has more than 400 crew members working to restore power quickly and safely.”
As of Monday, for many, power had still not been restored.
On Sunday morning, the city had 68 traffic signals not working — “the vast majority due to grid shutoffs by Xcel,” explained Department of Transportation and Infrastructure spokesperson Nancy Kuhn, on Monday afternoon. “By early this morning, there were outages at only four locations, so those were all coming back on.”
A traffic signal at Colfax Avenue and Ogden Street was so damaged it needs to be replaced.
Kuhn’s advice for those who encounter a downed power line: “Stay clear of downed lines and report them immediately to Xcel Energy at 1-800-895-1999. If a power line is in contact with a tree or any other object, stay away and call 911 immediately.”
And people did call.
Over the weekend, Denver Fire Department was trying to keep up with the demand.
“We saw a number of calls for reports of downed power lines and calls for broken windows or flying debris,” said Denver Fire Captain J.D. Chism.
The Tava Waters Apartments, at Mississippi and Valentia, caught fire, and partially collapsed.
Putting out the flames was more challenging because of the wind, Chism explained.
Many Denverites are cleaning up branches, fallen trees and trash — or wondering how to do so.
Property owners are tasked with cleaning up debris that falls on private property and is blocking the public right of way. The city is asking people not to put the debris on public land. Denver Forestry has a list of tree-care contractors who can help out.
“If emergency removal of a fallen tree or tree branch is needed to clear a street, call 311 to report the specific address of the location,” Kuhn wrote in a statement. “The city will evaluate and prioritize the removal of the obstruction, and when necessary, the city will remove the encumbrance, and the cost of the work will be billed to the responsible property owner.”
And if you have extra tree branches, DOTI will collect them as part of its regular trash and compost services.
There are a few rules to keep in mind.
“Branches must be no larger than 4 inches in diameter, and they must be cut into lengths of 4 feet or less, bundled and tied, and weigh no more than 50 pounds,” according to the city’s rules. “Customers may set out up to 10 bundles of branches on their large item pickup day.”
In short: Break out the saw and have patience.
In Lakewood, there's a temporary tree limb drop-off site from now through Monday, April 15 at the city greenhouse, 9556 W. Yale Ave.
"Residents must be able to unload the limbs without assistance. The limb drop-off site is for storm damage only; yard debris will not be accepted," the city said in announcing the site.
A few schools are still waiting for answers, too.
Monday, students at John F. Kennedy High School, Rocky Mountain Prep Ruby Hill Elementary, and Traylor Academy Elementary stayed home, since power had not been restored in their areas.
Would those students be back in class on Tuesday?
"We can confirm the John F. Kennedy High School and Traylor Academy Elementary are energized," Xcel Energy spokesperson Tyler Bryant told Denverite on Monday evening. "We anticipate Rocky Mountain Prep Ruby Hill Elementary to be energized later tonight."
Update: This story has been updated with a quote from an Xcel spokesperson about the latest on school closures.
