Boulder County, Colo. -Nearly four years ago, the Marshall Fire tragically claimed the lives of two Boulder County residents and destroyed or damaged more than 1,000 homes and structures. It was the most devastating wildfire in Colorado history.

The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office and Office of District Attorney thoroughly investigated the cause and origin of the Marshall Fire. That investigation took nearly 18 months and involved the United States Forest Service, the Colorado Department of Mining and Reclamation Services, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, several local fire departments, and experts in multiple disciplines. The investigation also included, among other things, the execution of judicially approved search warrants, interviews with hundreds of witnesses, evaluation of community tips, forensic analysis, and other judicial processes. The Boulder County Sheriff and the Office of the District Attorney ultimately concluded that the fire originating near the Marshall Mesa Trailhead was most probably caused by hot particles discharged from Xcel Energy powerlines.

Substantial evidence supported investigators’ conclusion that Xcel Energy’s powerlines ignited a fire near the Marshall Mesa Trailhead. Photographs from a trail camera showed a detached powerline, showed smoke and flames near the base of the pole from which the powerline had detached, and led investigators to a witness who had personally observed and recorded the detached powerline. An inspection conducted by United State Forest Service wildland fire experts located evidence of ignition points near the pole with the detached powerline. An inspection of the powerline itself, conducted by electrical engineers and metallurgists experienced in wildland fire investigation, confirmed that the powerline had sustained damage and discharged hot particles.

Boulder County Sheriff Curtis Johnson and District Attorney Michael Dougherty publicly announced these conclusions on June 8, 2023. The same day, Xcel Energy issued a statement in which it “strongly disagreed with any suggestion that Xcel Energy powerlines” caused or contributed to the Marshall Fire.

On September 24, 2025, the judge presiding over the Marshall Fire litigation made a decision to forgo the scheduled trial because the parties have reported a settlement in principle.

District Attorney Michael Dougherty stated, “Thousands of people suffered devastating losses from the Marshall Fire. It has been incredible to see the victims and community members rally around each other, rebuild, and recover. But, for some, the trauma and financial losses remain incredibly difficult. It is our hope that any settlement will allow all those impacted to continue to recover and rebuild.”