Golf ball-sized hail detected near Denver, CO on June 24, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Denver 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 landed approximately 7 miles southwest of downtown Denver, with one hail report logged in Denver County that day. At 1.75 inches, this size is capable of functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles — not just cosmetic granule loss, but denting of soft metals and potential cracking of aged or brittle shingles. Roofs older than 15 years or already showing wear are meaningfully more vulnerable than newer installations. Denver County's own historical maximum stands at 1 inch, so this event exceeds anything previously documented locally, though the broader metro saw larger hail the same day.
On a home at Denver's median value of $586,700, a 2% wind/hail deductible runs approximately $11,734. Typical repair costs for a 2,000 square-foot roof in this market run $5,679–$8,203, with full replacement averaging $11,569. Get a professional inspection before making any insurance decisions.
At these numbers, you're better off repairing out of pocket — the typical repair cost falls below your deductible. Filing a claim likely isn't worth it unless a full inspection reveals significantly more damage.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Denver inspection
Denver repair cost reference
Historical context
Among 108 Denver County hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded over the past decade, this event ranks 23rd by magnitude — solidly mid-tier. The largest event on record reached 2.75 inches on May 31, 2024. June is historically active for this county, averaging 40 events over the past 10 years, though May remains the peak month at 59 events.
Storm system
This was not an isolated storm. The same system produced golf ball-sized hail in Larimer and Jefferson counties and 2.5-inch hail in El Paso County — a wide swath of Colorado's Front Range was affected simultaneously.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 4–8 weeks in the Denver market. The storm chaser risk is rated high: Denver regularly draws out-of-state roofing crews after significant events, and door-to-door solicitation often begins within 24–48 hours of a storm. Colorado does not issue a state-level 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 and workers' comp certificates, a verifiable local business address, and Colorado Roofing Association membership or equivalent.
Permits & building code
At 1.75 inches on an aging roof, repair is plausible but replacement becomes likely if an inspector finds functional damage across multiple squares. Denver requires a permit for roofing work — the contractor pulls it, cost runs $150–$400, and an inspection is required before the job is closed out. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any soft metals (AC fins, vents, flashing) before conditions change — date-stamp everything.
- 2Get a repair estimate from a licensed contractor before contacting your insurer — at these numbers, out-of-pocket repair is likely cheaper than filing a claim.
- 3Verify any contractor's general liability and workers' comp certificates, and confirm they have a verifiable local business address before allowing anyone on your roof.
- 4Know your policy's deductible structure — pull the declarations page and confirm whether you carry a percentage-based wind/hail deductible.
- 5Keep records of all contractor contacts, estimates, and any storm-related purchases in a single folder in case you need them later.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Denver inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI) and are radar-confirmed; a full NWS written summary is pending.