local
Vail Valley power outage update: Second transmission line was down for needed maintenance when lightning hit other main line
By David O. Williams Follow
dwilliams@vaildaily.com at Vail Daily
· July 10, 2026
· 11 min read
A second, redundant Xcel Energy transmission line from Basalt to Gypsum was down for maintenance when lightning struck the other Xcel line from Steamboat Springs to the Wolcott substation Tuesday evening, causing a 14-hour power outage for 27,000 Holy Cross Energy customers from Vail to the Roari...
Key takeaway The Basalt-to-Gypsum line will be down until Aug.
Why this matters in Aspen News
The recent power outage affecting 27,000 Holy Cross Energy customers from Vail to the Roaring Fork Valley has significant implications for Aspen , given the city's reliance on a stable power supply to support its ski resort and cultural center operations. With the Basalt-to-Gypsum transmission line down for maintenance until August 6, Aspen's residents and businesses will be particularly vulnerable to disruptions during the height of wildfire season. The fact that Xcel Energy's aging infrastructure is being upgraded to reduce wildfire risk is a positive development, but the timing of the maintenance work raises concerns about the coordination between Xcel Energy and Holy Cross Energy. As Aspen contends with its own mountain-weather hazards, including heavy snow, avalanche risk, and spring runoff flooding, a reliable power supply is crucial to supporting the city's emergency response systems and daily operations.
About this story
Original reporting by Vail Daily . Aspen News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Vail Daily . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 10, 2026 ·
Source: Vail Daily ·
Reading time: 11 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A second, redundant Xcel Energy transmission line from Basalt to Gypsum was down for maintenance when lightning struck the other Xcel line from Steamboat Springs to the Wolcott substation Tuesday evening, causing a 14-hour power outage for 27,000 Holy Cross Energy customers from Vail to the Roari...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 10, 2026 by Vail Daily and curated for Aspen News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by David O. Williams Follow
dwilliams@vaildaily.com at Vail Daily. To learn more about how Aspen News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Aspen News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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