Xcel Energy: Damage to Colorado equipment 'unprecedented'

Xcel Energy Inc. on Friday called the flood damage to its poles, wires, electrical equipment and natural gas pipelines in Colorado “unprecedented.” The company said it expects that “thousands” of natural gas meters, and “up to 20 miles” of natural gas pipeline, will have to be replaced because they were damaged by the rushing waters that inundated 4,500 square miles of northern Colorado. Company officials have said the repair bill is "likely to be in the tens of millions." And access…