Baseball-sized hail detected near Fountain, CO on July 31, 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-confirmed strike placed the hail core approximately 20 miles northeast of downtown Fountain, with one report logged across El Paso County that day. At 2.75 inches — baseball size — standard architectural asphalt shingles face a high probability of functional damage, not just cosmetic bruising. Granule loss, cracked mat, and compromised waterproofing are realistic outcomes at this magnitude, particularly on roofs older than 10 years. This event ranks 9th among 138 hail events of 1 inch or greater recorded in the county over the past decade; the county's largest recorded event reached 4 inches on August 5, 2023.
On a median-value Fountain home ($374,600), a 2% wind-and-hail deductible works out to roughly $7,492 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000-square-foot roof runs $6,834, with a range of $5,591 to $8,076. 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
At 2.75 inches, this event ranks 9th of 138 recorded hail events of 1 inch or greater in El Paso County over the past ten years — a dataset large enough to support that ranking with confidence. The county's all-time largest recorded event was 4 inches on August 5, 2023. July is historically the most active month for hail in this county, accounting for 49 events in the past decade.
Storm system
The July 31 storm was not isolated — 2-inch golf ball-sized hail was detected near Fremont the same day, while Jefferson and Boulder each recorded 0.75-inch marble-sized hail, pointing to a broader convective system pushing across the region.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1 to 2 weeks in the Fountain area, and storm chaser activity is assessed as low. 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 roofing job over $1,000, with specific consumer protections spelled out inside it. Before signing anything, verify the contractor carries current general liability and workers' compensation insurance and can provide a verifiable local business address.
Permits & building code
At 2.75 inches, full roof replacement is more likely than a targeted repair, particularly on aging shingles — and that means pulling a permit. In Fountain, the contractor pulls the permit; expect $100 to $250 in permit fees and a required inspection before the job closes. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph the roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces from ground level before conditions change — date-stamp every image.
- 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 any contractor before signing: request proof of general liability insurance, workers' comp, and a written contract as required under C.R.S. § 6-22-105.
- 4Be aware that under C.R.S. § 6-22-105, any contractor who offers to waive or rebate your deductible is violating Colorado law — walk away.
- 5Keep all inspection reports, written estimates, and contractor documents in one file for future reference.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Fountain inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI), radar-confirmed as of the event date and pending full NWS write-up.