Utility company Xcel Energy locked out tens of thousands of Colorado residents from changing the temperature on their thermostats Tuesday, all in the name of conserving energy.

Wait, what?

Smart home technology, such as digital thermostats, may be trendy and convenient, but apparently it also gives those who can access your technology the ability to control it without your knowledge.

The high temperature in Denver nearly broke 90F on Tuesday. Naturally, residents wanted to crank up their air conditioning for respite from the sweltering heat.

But more than 20,000 people quickly learned they didn't have the ability to turn down their thermostats because their utility company remotely locked their A/C temperature at nearly 80 degrees.