Power Outage Tips for Colorado Families: Prepare for Winds, Weather Disruptions With Little Ones

Power outages related to weather, like high winds, are on the rise, making it more important than ever to have power outrage tips in your back pocket. For families throughout Colorado and in Denver, plug into the best power outage tips below. 

The Reality of Power Outages for Colorado Families

The 2024 Colorado Climate Center Report, which examines recent trends and predictions for extreme weather events, shows that heat waves, droughts and wildfires have increased and will continue to in coming years. This week, many Colorado residents and Denver families could face power outages as high winds and red flag warnings are issued for the Front Range. 

This past December, just before the holidays, high winds caused the city of Boulder to shut off power for several days. Schools and stores closed, stoplights were out, and many parents were left in the dark (literally) about how to manage small children through an almost week-long outage. 

In early 2025, Xcel Energy, one of the largest energy providers in the central United States, began issuing warnings to residents about preventative power outages to minimize wildfires in the Denver, Boulder and Fort Collins areas. High winds can damage power lines and other electrical equipment, which can potentially lead to fires. To keep everyone safe, planned power outages are a preemptive measure that may become a more regular occurrence. 

Due to these realities, there is no better time to become a power outage pro! Power forward to learn more about what to do when life becomes unplugged, per se. 

Power Outage Tips: What to Have on Hand

New York Magazine’s The Strategist recently published a comprehensive article on “Everything You Need for a Power Outage, According to Experts,” which includes a brilliant addition of a simple set of playing cards. Other preparations include: 

• Storage + Access: Having the right products during a power outage is only half the battle. Storing your products in a dedicated, easy-to-access location for the whole family is vital. Try a large and well-marked weathertight tote to hold all of the must-haves. Keep it in a place that is easy to find in the dark. 

• Lighting: During daylight hours, outages are a nuisance, but after sundown, managing small children in the dark can be chaotic and dangerous. Thankfully, there are a number of affordable and effective options for lighting your home during an outage. 
  • BioLite Luci — This featherlight, inflatable lantern goes 24 hours between charges, offers four options for brightness and powers with sunshine or a USB-C. Best of all, it’s $30 and flattens to the size of a pancake when not in use. 
  • Kid’s Headlamp — For safety and fun, make sure all kids have a light source for moving around your home. These headlamps are $9 and have a range of colorful light options. 
  • Flashlights — Whether you prefer a high-end or bargain flashlight, the key is to have multiples on hand and make sure they have fresh batteries before the lights go out. 
  • Long-lasting Glow Sticks — These emergency-grade glow sticks will make kids happy and add a little party to your power outage. 
  • Battery-Operated Flameless Candles – Safe and handy, flameless candles are a great option for lighting a room at night without the danger of fire.
  • Pro Tip — Stock up on the right batteries for your lights and keep them in the storage bin.

• Power Banks and Stations: Being prepared to recharge your devices can be a lifesaver during a power outage that lasts longer than a few hours. 
  • Portable Power Bank (also known as a portable battery) — From phones to computers and iPads, a power bank is an essential investment for staying connected in case of emergency (and maybe staying sane with a pre-downloaded family movie–remember, when there is no power, there is no WiFi or internet). 
  • Portable Power Station — If you want to be the envy of the neighborhood, upgrade to a small generator. Depending on how many devices you are charging, these lightweight (18 pounds) power stations can keep the family up and running for upwards of a few days.
  • Pro Tip — If you get advance notice of the outage, immediately charge your devices. Also, remember that if it is safe outside, you can drive to charge most devices through your car. 

Power Outage Tips: Food Safety

The Food Safety Administration is the expert on “Food Safety During a Power Outage” and states that a refrigerator will keep food safe for up to four hours if the door is kept closed as much as possible. After that, most food will need to be discarded. Check the full list above on what to trash and what to keep. 

• Coolers — After the fridge has maxed out the four-hour window, move perishable foods to a cooler with ice packs. Or, if it is under 40 degrees outside, use the outdoors to save your food as long as it is covered and away from animals. 
• Non-perishables — Stock up on canned goods and non-perishable foods, and keep them in your storage bin. Top foods for preparedness include: peanut butter, canned tuna or fish, nuts and seeds, packaged snacks like bars and granola, crackers, dried fruits, non-refrigerated juice packs, shakes and pouches. 

Power Outage Tips: Clothing + Warmth

Winter power outages can get frigid after dark without the right clothing. If temperatures are dangerous, there are typically shelters nearby with power. If you feel comfortable at home, make sure your warmest clothes and go-to camping items are close by to keep your family cozy. Here’s a quick list of items to keep handy: 

• Gloves, socks, warm shoes and hats for every member of the family. 
• Wool or down blankets and sleeping bags rated to lower temperatures. 
• Portable, electric heated blankets are a great addition to your supplies. Just be sure to have them charged or use your power bank.  

Power Outage Tips: Sanity Savers

After the basics of light, warmth and food are taken care of, the big question becomes, how do we fill the time? So give yourself a leg up by having some games and activities ready to go in case of a blackout. 

• Playing cards, coloring materials, sticker books or favorite board games are all great resources. Check out our “Top Games for Preschoolers.” 
• Give your favorite travel games double-duty since those typically don’t require power. For our favorites, read our “Tips for Surviving Road Trips for Preschool Families.”
• If your family watches TV or movies, remember to download them before the outage.
• Download podcasts and playlists ahead of time, if possible. Tune into our “Best Podcasts for Preschoolers” blog post for suggestions. 

Power Outage Tips: Safety

Finally, it is important to have a first aid kit handy during outages. Little bruises and cuts from bumping into things in the dark are easy to handle with the right kit. Here are some recommendations for “The Best First-Aid Kits for Families at Home and on the Road” from Parenting Magazine. 

In colder months, it may also be helpful to seek out friends in other areas who may have power or even a local business or shelter for safety and welcome company. The priority is keeping everyone safe, so focus on food, warmth and shelter. Once those items are handled, get creative with the fun. Who knows, you might be able to turn a power outage into an unforgettable family memory. 

Looking for more tips about how to manage life and learning with your preschooler? Subscribe to our bilingual monthly newsletter, Family Dispatch.