Golf ball-sized hail detected near Canon City, CO on July 29, 2026

Damage assessment

The radar-confirmed strike center fell approximately 17 miles southwest of downtown Canon City, with one hail report logged in Fremont County that day. At 1.75 inches, golf ball-sized hail is large enough to cause functional damage to standard architectural asphalt shingles — dented flashing, bruised mat, cracked tabs — not just surface scuffs. Shingles older than 10–12 years are particularly vulnerable; granule loss at this magnitude can accelerate water infiltration within one to two seasons. Fremont County's limited NOAA reporting density means actual exposure in the area may run higher than the single logged report suggests.

Canon City repair cost reference

Historical context

Across 12 recorded hail events of one inch or larger in Fremont County over the past decade, this event ranks second by magnitude — trailing only a 2-inch storm on June 12, 2023. July has produced five such events in ten years, which is above the county's monthly average. June is historically the peak month with six recorded events, so a late-July storm of this size is notable but not unprecedented for the corridor.

Storm system

This was not an isolated cell — Pueblo County recorded golf ball-sized hail the same day, and multiple Front Range counties reported quarter- to half-dollar-sized stones, pointing to a broad, active weather system moving through the region.

Contractor guidance

Local contractor data shows a current backlog of one to two weeks, which is relatively short — act early if the busy season extends that window. The storm chaser risk for Canon City is assessed as low, though most post-storm capacity here comes from contractors based in larger Colorado metros rather than local firms, so vetting still matters. Colorado Senate Bill 38 (C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105) requires a written contract on all residential jobs over $1,000 with specific consumer protections built in — any contractor who skips this is already cutting corners. Before signing anything, confirm current general liability and workers' comp coverage, a verifiable local business address, and a recognized trade association membership.

Permits & building code

At 1.75 inches, full replacement is a real possibility on older or already-compromised roofs — a professional assessment will determine whether repair is sufficient. Canon City requires contractor-pulled permits for roofing work, with permit costs running $100–$250, and an inspection is required upon completion. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.