Golf ball-sized hail detected near Fountain, CO on June 24, 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 strike was logged approximately 6 miles east of downtown Fountain — one report in El Paso County that day. At 2.5 inches, this is functional damage territory for standard architectural asphalt shingles: expect cracked or displaced granules, compromised mat integrity, and potentially broken tabs on older material. Shingles installed more than 10 years ago are the most vulnerable; newer installations may show cosmetic bruising without full functional loss, though that still warrants a professional look. El Paso County's largest recorded event reached 4 inches on August 5, 2023 — today's storm is meaningful but not unprecedented for this area.
On a $374,600 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible, your out-of-pocket threshold is $7,492. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sqft roof after a comparable event runs $6,455 — below that deductible. 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
Among 138 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in El Paso County over the past 10 years, this event ranks 15th by magnitude. The county record stands at 4 inches, set on August 5, 2023. June historically produces 35 hail events in this county over a 10-year span, which is above average — the peak month is July at 49 events.
Storm system
No other tracked counties logged hail activity on June 24, 2026. This appears to be an isolated cell rather than a regional outbreak.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1–2 weeks in the Fountain area. The storm chaser risk is assessed as low, though most post-storm roofing capacity here comes from contractors based in Colorado Springs and other larger metros. Colorado does not issue a state-level roofing license, but Colorado 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, confirm the contractor carries current general liability and workers' compensation insurance and has a verifiable local business address.
Permits & building code
At 2.5 inches, full replacement is a real possibility on older roofs — repair alone may not restore water-shedding integrity if the mat is compromised across multiple slopes. In Fountain, the contractor pulls the permit; expect $100–$250 in permit fees and a required inspection on completion. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior metal surfaces (A/C caps, vents, flashing) before conditions change — timestamped photos are your baseline.
- 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 written contract includes the consumer protections required under C.R.S. § 6-22-101; do not sign anything without it.
- 4Keep a written log of all contractor visits, estimates received, and communications — dates and names matter if a dispute arises later.
- 5Under C.R.S. § 6-22-105, no contractor may waive or rebate your deductible — any offer to do so is a Class 2 misdemeanor and a red flag to walk away.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Fountain inspection
This event is sourced from an NWS Local Storm Report (spotter); radar confirmation is pending and magnitude estimates may be revised as additional data becomes available.