Golf ball-sized hail detected near Canon City, CO on August 26, 2026

Damage assessment

The radar-confirmed strike center fell approximately 16 miles northeast of downtown Canon City, with one hail report logged in Fremont County that day. At 2.5 inches, golf ball-sized hail causes functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles — not merely cosmetic bruising. Expect cracked or missing granules, compromised mat integrity, and potential damage to gutters, vents, and flashing. Roofs older than 10 years are especially vulnerable; worn shingles have less resilience and are more likely to show accelerated deterioration even if impact craters aren't immediately visible.

Canon City repair cost reference

Historical context

This event recorded 2.5 inches, ranking it first among 12 hail events of 1 inch or greater in Fremont County over the past 10 years — the largest in that period. The previous record was a 2-inch event on June 12, 2023. August is historically quiet for hail in this county; no events of 1 inch or greater were recorded in August over the past decade, making this storm an outlier.

Storm system

This was not an isolated event. The same storm system produced hail across multiple Colorado counties and into southern Wyoming, with reports ranging from marble-sized in Boulder and Jefferson counties up to 2.75-inch baseball-sized hail in Laramie County, Wyoming — indicating a widespread, organized severe weather outbreak rather than a localized cell.

Contractor guidance

Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1–2 weeks in the Canon City area, and storm chaser risk is assessed as low. That said, Canon City's thin local roofing market means most post-storm capacity arrives from contractors based in Colorado's larger metros — verify that any out-of-area contractor has a verifiable business address and current general liability and workers' compensation insurance. 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 all residential jobs over $1,000 that includes specific consumer protections. Before signing anything, confirm those contract disclosures are present and check for CRA membership or an equivalent credentialing organization.

Permits & building code

At 2.5 inches, full roof replacement is a realistic outcome for older or thinner shingles — repair alone may not satisfy an adjuster's findings or restore watertight integrity. Fremont County requires the contractor to pull the permit, inspections are mandatory, and permit costs typically run $100–$250. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.