The Mancos area has been in a power outage since 10 a.m., and efforts to repair the problem will continue, according to Montezuma County Public Information Officer Vicki Shaffer.

An Empire Electric Association substation in Mancos near Spruce Street failed, causing the widespread blackout, she said. The cause was not available.

The outage included the town of Mancos and east to the top of Mancos Hill along U.S. Highway 160.

Crews from Empire and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association Inc. have been working to restore power all day. By redirecting power from Cortez and Dolores, electricity service was restored for much of the outage area, Shaffer said. There were still 175 meters without power as of 6 p.m.

Empire has reported it expects power to be restored to the area by 7 a.m. on Friday.

A portable substation was ordered and is traveling to the area from Grand Junction and was expected to arrive soon, Shaffer said.

The county emergency manager’s office is asking Dolores and Cortez residents to limit power usage for the time being so it can be accessed by the Mancos area. Avoid using larger appliances, Shafer said.

Residents in the blackout area with essential medical equipment without back up power are asked to contact Emergency manager Jim Spratlen at 970-564-4137 for assistance.

Shaffer reported officials have been checking in on nursing homes including the Valley Inn, which lost power, to provide any assistance needed.

Restaurants and grocery stores reported they are concerned about losing products in refrigerators and freezers.

The Mancos Medical Clinic was shut down because of the power outage, Shaffer said.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com