Baseball-sized hail detected near Fountain, CO on June 23, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Fountain 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-indicated strike center was approximately 7 miles northeast of downtown Fountain, with one hail report logged across El Paso County that day. At 3.5 inches, this is well above the threshold for functional damage — expect cracked, bruised, or fully compromised shingles on standard architectural asphalt, not just cosmetic pitting. Roofs older than 10 years are the most vulnerable; granule loss on aged shingles accelerates significantly at this hail size. The county's largest recorded event on file reached 4 inches on August 5, 2023, so this event ranks third in magnitude out of 138 county events over the past decade.
A 2% wind/hail deductible on a $374,600 home works out to roughly $7,492 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof after this event runs $6,455, with a range of $5,281 to $7,628. 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 Fountain inspection
Fountain repair cost reference
Historical context
This event ranks third out of 138 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in El Paso County over the past 10 years — a record large enough to treat that ranking as meaningful. The county's single largest event on file was 4 inches on August 5, 2023. June historically produces 35 hail events of 1 inch or more per decade in this county, which is above average relative to other months, though July is the peak at 49.
Storm system
This was not an isolated storm. The same system produced 3.25-inch hail in Pueblo and quarter-sized hail in both Laramie and Albany, Wyoming, pointing to a broad convective outbreak across the Front Range and into Wyoming on June 23.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1 to 2 weeks, and storm chaser activity is assessed as low for Fountain — most post-storm capacity arrives from contractors based in Colorado Springs or other larger metros. Colorado does not license roofing contractors at the state level, 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 that includes specific consumer protections. Before signing anything, verify current general liability and workers' compensation certificates, a verifiable local business address, and ask whether the contractor carries CRA membership or equivalent credentialing.
Permits & building code
At 3.5 inches, full replacement is a realistic outcome for standard asphalt shingles — especially on any roof with meaningful age — rather than a patch repair. El Paso County 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 all visible damage now — roof surface, gutters, downspouts, window trim, and any exterior HVAC equipment — before weather or debris changes the scene.
- 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.
- 3Vet every contractor before signing: request proof of general liability, workers' comp, and a verifiable local business address.
- 4Know Colorado law on deductible waivers — C.R.S. § 6-22-105 makes it illegal for a contractor to waive or rebate your deductible, and a violation can expose both the contractor and homeowner to misdemeanor liability.
- 5Keep a written record of every contractor visit, estimate received, and communication related to this event.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Fountain inspection
Hail data for this event is sourced from NOAA NEXRAD radar via the Severe Weather Data Inventory (SWDI) and is radar-confirmed, with a full NWS storm survey write-up pending.