Winter Storm Resources

Heavy wet snow may cause many power outages across our region. If you are currently experiencing a power outage, there are a few things you can do:

• Check your local power provider’s website for an “outage map”, which will show you where current power outages are being reported.
  • Colorado Springs Utilities: https://www.csu.org/Pages/default.aspx
  • Mountain View Electric: https://www.mvea.coop/
  • Manitou Springs Utilities: https://www.manitouspringsgov.com/268/Utilities
  • City of Fountain Utilities: https://www.fountaincolorado.org/government/city_departments___divisions/utilities
  • Black Hills Energy: https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/
• Call your local power provider or visit their website to report a new power outage.
• Stay safe while your power is out by:
  • Keep freezers and refrigerators closed.
  • Use a generator, but ONLY outdoors and away from windows.
  • Do not use a gas stove or oven to heat your home.
  • Disconnect appliances and electronics to avoid damage from electrical surges.
  • Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.

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

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

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:

• Colorado Springs Utilities: https://www.csu.org/Pages/default.aspx
• Mountain View Electric: https://www.mvea.coop/
• Manitou Springs Utilities: https://www.manitouspringsgov.com/268/Utilities
• City of Fountain Utilities: https://www.fountaincolorado.org/government/city_departments___divisions/utilities
• Black Hills Energy: https://www.blackhillsenergy.com/

If you have debris on your property from the windstorm, here is a list of organizations where you can drop off debris or call to help you move debris off your property. Please note, the list below only includes some of the organizations that can assist you with debris removal, the county does not endorse any of the following companies or organizations.

• Rocky Top Resources
  • 1755 E. Las Vegas Street, 80906
  • 719-579-9103
• Monument Transfer Station
  • 856 Washington Street, 80132
  • 719-481-2340
• Waste Connections Landfill, Fountain
  • 10000 Squirrel Creek Road, Fountain, 80817
  • 719-382-9661
• Waste Management Landfill, Colorado Springs
  • 1010 Blaney Road, Colorado Springs, 80929
  • 719-683-2600
• Waste Management Landfill, Midway
  • 8925 Rancho Colorado Blvd., Fountain, 80817
  • 719-382-8383

• American Iron & Metal (Raw Metals)
  • 3390 Drennan Industrial Loop South, 80910
  • 719-390-4766

• El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste (Automotive Parts, Batteries, Fuels, Medical Waste)
  • 3255 Akers Drive, 80922
  • 719-520-7878
• Clean Harbors (Hazardous Waste)
  • 4721 Ironton Street, Unit B, Denver, 80239
  • 303-371-1100

• Colorado Industrial Recycling (Metals, Appliances, Vehicles)
  • 2730 E Las Vegas Street, 80906
  • 719-390-9500