Trinidad plans overnight power outage for utility upgrades, launches TextPower alerts

Trinidad residents and downtown businesses faced a planned power outage beginning at 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 12, with service expected to remain off for about 10 hours and return around 3 a.m. Wednesday, May 13, while crews replaced critical power poles and cross-arms in an aging electric system.

The city said the shutdown was necessary to keep the grid reliable, but it came with immediate practical fallout for some customers across the affected area. Trinidad advised people to use flashlights instead of candles, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed, unplug sensitive electronics and check on neighbors who might need help. The city also said there would be no notifications during the scheduled outage because of the timing, which made advance preparation more important for households and businesses that rely on overnight electricity.

The outage plan had already stirred concern at the May 5 Trinidad City Council meeting, where residents pressed for changes as officials warned the alternative could be worse. The discussion did not happen in a vacuum. City leaders were also weighing broader questions about festivals and trails, including the Santa Fe Trail Days season and pressure on the Santa Fe Trail corridor and downtown Trinidad, where utility work can ripple through restaurants, shops and event planning.

At the same time, Trinidad moved to expand how it warns customers. The city launched TextPower, a new alert system for utility alerts and service updates, and told residents to sign up by texting CtyTdad to 719-509-9005 from any cellphone. That push reflects a clear need for faster, clearer warnings after past disruption, including the emergency downtown power shut-off in July 2024 that drew sharp criticism from business owners.

Trinidad’s public utilities system handles electric, gas, water and sewer service, and the city’s communications department says it is the primary source for accurate, timely and transparent information, including project updates and emergency information. Utility customers can reach the city during business hours at 719-846-2266. With an aging system, a 20-year financial plan already in place to stabilize enterprise funds and address long-neglected infrastructure, the overnight outage underscored how Trinidad is trying to keep essential service running while limiting the shock to daily life.