Baseball-sized hail detected near Evans, CO on August 13, 2026

Damage assessment

The radar-indicated strike point falls approximately 14 miles northwest of downtown Evans, with one hail report logged across Weld County that day. At 3.5 inches, this is not a cosmetic event — hail at this size causes functional damage to architectural asphalt shingles, meaning granule loss, fractured mat, and compromised waterproofing, not just surface bruising. Any roof over 10–12 years old is at meaningful risk of needing full replacement rather than spot repair. Arapahoe County recorded 3-inch hail the same day, confirming this was part of a broader system, though the Evans strike was the larger of the two.

Evans repair cost reference

Historical context

This event ranks first among 56 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in Weld County over the past 10 years — the largest on record for the county. The previous record was 2.75 inches on June 17, 2025, which was already at the severe damage threshold. August sits above the county's historical average with 15 events over 10 years, though June is the peak month with 16.

Storm system

This was not an isolated strike — the same system produced hail across multiple Front Range counties on August 13, with reports ranging from 0.75 inches near Denver to 3 inches in Arapahoe County. The pattern is consistent with the northeast-tracking convective storms typical of Colorado's late-summer afternoons.

Contractor guidance

Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1–2 weeks, and storm chaser risk is assessed as low for the Evans market, with most post-storm capacity arriving from contractors based in larger metro areas. 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 built in. Before signing anything, verify current general liability and workers' comp coverage, a verifiable local business address, and ask for all three before work begins. Under C.R.S. § 6-22-105, any contractor who offers to waive or cover your deductible is breaking Colorado law — walk away.

Permits & building code

At 3.5 inches, full roof replacement is the more likely outcome than a repair on most residential structures, particularly on aging shingle systems. Evans requires a permit for roofing work — your contractor pulls it, cost runs $100–$250, and an inspection is required on completion. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.