Golf ball-sized hail detected near Canon City, CO on September 9, 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 return centered approximately 12 miles east of downtown Canon City, with one hail report logged across Fremont County that day. At 2.5 inches, golf ball-sized hail causes functional damage to standard architectural asphalt shingles — not just surface bruising, but granule loss and mat fractures that accelerate deterioration and can void manufacturer warranties. Roofs older than 10–12 years are especially vulnerable; weakened shingles crack rather than flex under impact. The same-day event in Pueblo registered 2.75 inches, so this storm system produced serious hail across the broader region.
On a $275,300 home with a 2% deductible, the out-of-pocket threshold is approximately $5,506 before insurance pays. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sqft roof following a 2.5-inch event runs $7,219, with a range of $5,906 to $8,531. 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, at 2.5 inches, ranks first out of 12 recorded hail events of at least 1 inch in Fremont County over the past 10 years — topping the previous largest recorded hail, a 2-inch event on June 12, 2023. With 10 or more events on record, that ranking is meaningful, not a statistical artifact of a thin dataset. September is historically quiet here; no other September events appear in the 10-year record, making this storm genuinely anomalous for the time of year.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell. Pueblo recorded 2.75-inch hail the same day, confirming a regional storm system capable of producing large hail across a wide swath of south-central Colorado.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1–2 weeks, and storm chaser risk is assessed as low for Canon City — though the city intake notes that most post-storm roofing capacity comes from contractors based in larger Colorado markets, which can shift both backlog and chaser exposure after major events. Colorado does not require a state-level roofing license, but Colorado Senate Bill 38 (C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105) mandates a written contract on residential jobs over $1,000 with specific consumer protections built in. Before signing anything, verify current general liability and workers' comp coverage, a verifiable local business address, and ask whether the contractor holds CRA membership or equivalent credentials.
Permits & building code
At 2.5 inches, full replacement is the more likely outcome on older roofs — repair patches rarely satisfy adjuster or manufacturer requirements when impact is this widespread. The contractor pulls the permit in Canon City; expect a permit cost of $100–$250 and a required inspection upon completion. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any outdoor equipment from the ground — do this before weather or foot traffic alters the evidence.
- 2Schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed, insured contractor to document damage before contacting your insurer.
- 3Contact your homeowner's insurance carrier to report potential hail damage and begin the claims process.
- 4Request proof of general liability insurance and workers' comp from any contractor before allowing them on your roof.
- 5Keep all inspection reports, photographs, and contractor estimates in one file — you will need them if your claim is disputed.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Canon City inspection
Hail detection is based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI); a full NWS written report is pending.