While we consistently rank in the top quartile nationwide for reliability, we’re not entirely immune to power outages. And we know how disruptive it is to lose power.
This summer (2026), we’ve all seen some longer, more widespread outages than we’re used to, including that overnight outage of unprecedented length and scope on July 7–8 in the Eagle River Valley.
We’ve heard from many of you with thoughtful questions these past few weeks, and we want every member to have clear, honest answers. Below are some of the questions we’ve heard most.
Are you building redundancy into the system?
Always. Redundancy is a core part of how we plan and invest in the grid. That said, no system is entirely immune to outages: backup lines occasionally need to come down for scheduled maintenance, which all lines require periodically to stay safe and reliable, and severe weather or equipment failures can affect multiple parts of the system at once.
It’s also worth noting that we rely on Xcel Energy for the transmission lines that bring wholesale power into our valleys, so we don’t have full control over the timing of maintenance shutdowns on those lines. This is what happened on July 7 during the Eagle River Valley outage; one transmission line was down for scheduled maintenance at the same time a lightning strike damaged the other transmission line.
We’re continually investing in projects that strengthen resilience across the valley. For example, we’re working with the U.S. Forest Service, the Town of Avon, and Xcel Energy on a new transmission line running from the old Gilman Mine site to Avon, which will add further redundancy to the area’s power supply.
How can I be better notified during an outage?
We want every member to feel informed, not left in the dark, literally or figuratively! We rely on automated email and text notifications to keep you updated, and we’re continually working with our software provider to make that system more accurate and reliable.
We’re also working to implement a backup, on-demand text feature for large outages, so we can send more frequent updates directly to members if our primary system runs into trouble.
In the meantime, we’d love for you to give us a call to confirm we have the most up-to-date contact information on file for your home or business. It’s one of the simplest ways to make sure you’re reached quickly when an outage happens.
In the event of major extended outages, if mobile internet and cellular service become unavailable, we still may have the ability to send out automated phone calls to landline telephones.
What can I do to be more prepared for a long outage?
This is a question that we often don’t think about until the power goes out. Please take a look at our outage preparedness page for a checklist and some practical steps you can take at home.
If you or someone in your household has medical needs that require electricity, we especially encourage you to consider a battery backup as part of your preparedness plan.
From small mobile batteries to full-home battery storage systems through Power+FLEX, there are lots of options these days to take resilience into your own hands.
Why can’t you compensate members for spoiled food?
We understand extended outages can cause real, tangible losses for households and businesses, and we don’t take that lightly.
As a member-owned cooperative, though, compensating for losses from acts of nature isn’t something that’s built into our financial model; doing so would ultimately mean asking all members to absorb those costs together. We’re sorry we can’t offer more here, and we appreciate your understanding.
Is my outage related to Fire Safety Settings?
Sometimes, yes, but not always. We know we’ve been talking a lot about Fire Safety Settings lately, and the undesirable effect of those settings being potentially more frequent and longer-lasting outages during periods of heightened fire risk.
However, plenty of outages are caused by other factors entirely, such as lightning strikes, equipment failures, or storm damage that are unrelated to fire safety settings.
Do you pre-emptively turn off power because of wildfire risk?
A Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) is a safety measure we may implement during periods of extreme wildfire danger. It involves a temporary, targeted outage intended to reduce the likelihood that electrical equipment could ignite a wildfire when conditions (such as high winds, low humidity, and dry vegetation) create exceptionally high risk.
Important to note: we will never implement a PSPS without giving our members as much notice as possible (in most cases, a minimum of 48 hours of advanced notice).
Occasionally, in the event of active wildfire, we may be asked by local fire authorities to de-energize power lines in the impacted area to assist with firefighting efforts.
First, check your circuit breakers or fuses. A tripped breaker or blown fuse is a common reason for loss of power. Fortunately, they’re easy to remedy.
Circuit breakers or fuses are housed in a main panel box. The main panel box could be inside or outside your home. To reset a tripped breaker, flip the switch all the way off, then flip it back on. If you have fuses, you’ll need to replace the blown fuse with a new fuse of the same amp rating. Don’t stand in water when touching breakers or fuses.
If your circuit breakers and fuses are working properly, check our outage map. If we’re not already reporting the outage, or in case of emergencies or hazards including downed power lines or equipment that is sparking, please call: 970.945.5491 or 970.949.5892.
Our online outage map is the most up-to-date resources for outage status.
You can also follow us on Facebook at Holy Cross Energy, where we’ll post updates about larger outages.
Also, please make sure we have your most up-to-date contact info:
1. Through the Smarthub app
2. Online in your account under Settings: Manage Notifications
3. Call member services at 970- 945-5491
Our team works to accurately estimate when they can restore power, but many factors effect their ability do so, including the time it takes to complete repairs and connections.
We’re unfortunately unable to field all individual calls, so we post the most current information available on our website and Facebook for large outages.
We provide the most current updates available about power outages and restoration progress on our outage map webpage. Not all outages will have a restoration time estimate, based on the outage specifics.
Sign up for notifications through your SmartHub account and we will text or email you when power is restored.
Generally, you should be able to use your cell phone for as long as your battery allows, depending on if cell towers are affected by the outage. Many cell towers have backup battery or generator power.
We have an extraordinarily reliable electric grid and supply, but if you need 100% reliable, uninterrupted electricity during power outages, consider enrolling in Power+FLEX. Installing a backup battery storage system in your home or business allows you to efficiently store energy directly from the grid or from your solar system, then use it during grid-power outages.
For short outages, leave the doors shut as long as you can. Keep the doors closed and your food should be fine for at least 4 hours in a refrigerator and 48 hours in a freezer. For prolonged outages, assess perishables to determine whether they are edible. You can find specific details on food safety at foodsafety.gov.
We understand outages can cause real, tangible losses for households, and we don’t take that lightly. As a member-owned cooperative, though, compensating for losses from acts of nature isn’t something that’s built into our financial model — doing so would ultimately mean asking all members to absorb those costs together. We’re sorry we can’t offer more here, and we appreciate your understanding.