Graphic image of Pikes Peak Regional Emergency Management logo

The Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management is closely monitoring weather conditions, and local officials stand ready to respond to impacts resulting from high winds in and around El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs.

Residents should call Pikes Peak United Way at 2-1-1 for the most updated information on how and where to receive any type of assistance. Pikes Peak United Way serves as the clearinghouse for our non-profit organizations and its available resources in real time.

Learn More About Resources from Pikes Peak United Way

Steps to Take in a Power Outage

If you are currently experiencing a power outage, there are a few things you can do:

Visit Ready.gov for more tips on what to do during a power outage: https://www.ready.gov/power-outages

How to Address Downed Tree Branches or Debris

First, if a fallen tree or debris is touching a power line, do not touch the tree or the power line. Power lines can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or possibly death. If you see a downed power line, immediately call your local utility company.

If branches has fallen near your home or on your street, and aren’t in contact with a power line, here’s what to do:

  • Evaluate if the fallen tree is on private or public property. if the tree is on private property, removing the tree is the property owner’s responsibility.
  • If the fallen tree is on public property or in the public right of way (blocking traffic), contact the city or county, depending on where the tree is located:
    • For NON-emergency assistance with downed trees in Colorado Springs, residents can use the GoCOS! mobile app.
    • To report a downed street tree in the public right of way (blocking public traffic) in El Paso County, visit https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com or call (719) 520-6460
    • CITY AND COUNTY SERVICES CANNOT REMOVE TREES OR DEBRIS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. A list of tree/debris removal companies can be found at the bottom of this page.
    • For service requests in other areas, here is some contact information:
      • Monument: 719-649-1887
      • Fountain: 719-322-2019
      • Manitou Springs: 719-685-2639
      • Green Mountain Falls: Use the Kudos & Concerns reporting form on the town website for non-emergency reports

Report Downed Power Lines

Downed power lines can look relatively harmless, but don’t be fooled. They can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or possibly death. If you see a downed power line, stay away from it, and immediately call your local utility company or call 911.

Here are some additional safety tips to help you stay safe around downed power lines:

  • If you see a downed power line, move away from the line, and avoid touching it.
  • The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock. Electricity wants to move from a high voltage zone to a low voltage one—and it could do that through your body.
  • If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call 911 instead.
  • Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything in contact with the line by using another object such as a broom or stick. Even normally non-conductive materials like wood or cloth, if slightly wet, can conduct electricity and electrocute you.
  • Be careful not to put your feet near water where a downed power line is located.
  • Do not drive over downed lines.
  • If you are in a vehicle that is in contact with a downed line, stay in the vehicle. Honk your horn for help and tell others to stay away from your vehicle.

To find contact information for your local power utility, please visit their website. We have compiled a list of links for El Paso County’s local power companies below:

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

DOWNED TREES
POWER
TRAVEL
Pikes Peak Regional Emergency Preparedness Guide

DOWNED TREES

Damaging winds may blow down trees.

Please note: Downed trees on private property are the responsibility of the owner. Contact home insurance or a private tree removal company. Neither the City nor County respond to calls about trees on private property. If there a threat to life safety or a power line is involved, please call 9-1-1.

If a fallen tree or debris is touching a power line, do not touch the tree or the power line. Power lines can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or possibly death. If you see a downed power line, immediately call your local utility company.

If branches has fallen near your home or on your street, and aren’t in contact with a power line, here’s what to do:

  • Evaluate if the fallen tree is on private or public property. if the tree is on private property, removing the tree is the property owner’s responsibility.
  • If the fallen tree is on public property or in the public right of way (blocking traffic), contact the city or county, depending on where the tree is located:
    • For NON-emergency assistance with downed trees in Colorado Springs, residents can use the GoCOS! mobile app.
    • To report a downed street tree in the public right of way (blocking public traffic) in El Paso County, visit https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com or call (719) 520-6460
    • CITY AND COUNTY SERVICES CANNOT REMOVE TREES OR DEBRIS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. A list of tree/debris removal companies can be found at the bottom of this page.
    • For service requests in other areas, here is some contact information:
      • Monument: 719-649-1887
      • Fountain: 719-322-2019
      • Manitou Springs: 719-685-2639
      • Green Mountain Falls: Use the Kudos & Concerns reporting form on the town website for non-emergency reports

Within the City limits: For NON-emergency assistance with downed trees in roadways through the night, City residents can call (719) 385-ROAD or use GoCOS!, the City’s mobile app, which can be found at www.coloradosprings.gov/gocos. To report a downed street tree, a tree planted within the public right of way, visit www.coloradosprings.gov/downtree.

Outside of City limits: For assistance with trees or debris that are blocking the roadway, residents outside of the city limits can call 719-520-6460 or use the EPC Citizen Connect App. Residents can also report by visiting https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com/.

POWER

Downed power lines can look relatively harmless, but don’t be fooled. They can carry an electric current strong enough to cause serious injury or possibly death. If you see a downed power line, stay away from it, and immediately call your local utility company or call 911.

Here are some additional safety tips to help you stay safe around downed power lines:

  • If you see a downed power line, move away from the line, and avoid touching it.
  • The proper way to move away from the line is to shuffle with small steps, keeping your feet together and on the ground at all times. This will minimize the potential for a strong electric shock. Electricity wants to move from a high voltage zone to a low voltage one—and it could do that through your body.
  • If you see someone who is in direct or indirect contact with the downed line, do not touch the person. You could become the next victim. Call 911 instead.
  • Do not attempt to move a downed power line or anything in contact with the line by using another object such as a broom or stick. Even normally non-conductive materials like wood or cloth, if slightly wet, can conduct electricity and electrocute you.
  • Be careful not to put your feet near water where a downed power line is located.
  • Do not drive over downed lines.
  • If you are in a vehicle that is in contact with a downed line, stay in the vehicle. Honk your horn for help and tell others to stay away from your vehicle.

To find contact information for your local power utility, please visit their website. We have compiled a list of links for El Paso County’s local power companies below:

TRAVEL

Avoid Travel, If Possible

The National Weather Service emphasizes that high winds make travel hazardous, especially for high profile vehicle on North/South corridors, such as I-25 due to high wind gusts and flying debris.

If possible, stay indoors and avoid travel. If you must travel, maintain a firm grip on the steering wheel at all times and be prepared for sudden shifts in wind speed or direction and be vigilant of flying debris.

Traffic intersections may be without power. Motorists should treat all darkened intersections as a four-way stop.

Watch for and obey any travel restrictions and stay tuned to local news or NOAA Weather Radio for updates.

Residents should only call 911 for a life-threatening emergency.

Colorado Springs Airport Flight Information

For information about flight status for the Colorado Springs Airport visit www.flycos.com or contact the individual airline.

Visit Colorado Springs Airport Website