Golf ball-sized hail detected near Canon City, CO on August 19, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Canon City monitoring area. Actual impact can vary by neighborhood, so nearby homes should use this as a signal to check roofs, gutters, siding, and vehicles.
Damage assessment
The radar-confirmed strike was located approximately 5 miles southwest of downtown Canon City, with one hail report logged across Fremont County that day. At 2.5 inches, asphalt architectural shingles — the dominant material in this housing stock — face a high probability of functional damage, not just cosmetic bruising. Granule loss, cracked mat, and displaced tabs are common outcomes at this size, particularly on roofs older than 10 years. Roofs under warranty age may show damage that still meets the threshold for insurance-covered replacement.
On a home at Canon City's median value of $275,300, a 2% wind/hail deductible runs approximately $5,506. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof after a storm of this magnitude runs $7,130, with a range of $5,833 to $8,426 depending on pitch, materials, and labor. Get a professional inspection before making any insurance decisions.
At these numbers, the typical repair cost exceeds a standard 2% deductible. Contact your insurer — damage at this level is likely worth filing before you pay out of pocket.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Canon City inspection
Canon City repair cost reference
Historical context
This event registers as the largest hail occurrence in the 10-year Fremont County record, surpassing the previous high of 2.0 inches recorded on June 12, 2023. August has historically produced zero hail events in this county over that same period, making today's storm an outlier by timing. It is also worth noting that Fremont County has lower NOAA reporting density than neighboring metro counties, so the actual hail exposure history may be underrepresented in the record.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell — the same system produced 2.0-inch hail in Pueblo and 1.5-inch hail in El Paso County the same day, pointing to a broader corridor event tracking across south-central Colorado.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1 to 2 weeks in the Canon City market, and storm chaser risk is assessed as low for this area. That said, Canon City's roofing market is thin — most post-storm capacity arrives from contractors based in Colorado's larger metros, which can extend wait times and occasionally attract unfamiliar operators. Colorado does not issue a state roofing license, but Senate Bill 38 (C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105) requires a written contract on any residential job over $1,000, with specific consumer protections spelled out. Before signing anything, verify current general liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and a verifiable local business address.
Permits & building code
At 2.5 inches, full roof replacement is more likely than spot repair once an adjuster or independent inspector assesses functional damage. Canon City requires the contractor to pull the permit, inspections are required, and permit costs typically run $100 to $250. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces — document before any cleanup or repair work begins.
- 2Schedule an independent inspection with a licensed roofing contractor to assess functional damage.
- 3Contact your insurance carrier to report potential damage and ask about your policy's claim process.
- 4Request proof of general liability insurance, workers' comp, and a written contract from any contractor before signing.
- 5Keep copies of all estimates, inspection reports, and insurer correspondence in one place throughout the claims process.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Canon City inspection
Hail data for this event is sourced from NOAA NEXRAD radar (SWDI) and is radar-confirmed; a full NWS ground-truth write-up is pending.