Ping pong-sized hail detected near Fountain, CO on August 19, 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 landed approximately 11 miles northwest of downtown Fountain, with one hail report logged across El Paso County that day. At 1.5 inches, architectural asphalt shingles — the dominant material in Fountain — sit right at the threshold where functional damage becomes plausible: granule loss, cracked mat, and compromised waterproofing are realistic outcomes, particularly on roofs older than 10–12 years. Cosmetic bruising is expected on any age of shingle; whether that crosses into functional loss depends on how much granule coverage remains before the storm hit. Pueblo and Fremont both recorded 2–2.25 inch hail the same day — larger stones that would be expected to cause more consistent functional damage than what Fountain received.
A $374,600 home with a 2% wind/hail deductible carries a $7,492 out-of-pocket threshold before insurance pays a dollar. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 square foot roof in this area 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
Across 138 El Paso County hail events of 1 inch or greater over the past decade, this event ranks 49th by magnitude — solidly mid-tier. The largest recorded event in that span was 4 inches on August 5, 2023, which dwarfs today's storm. August is historically active here, with 45 events in 10 years, though July edges it out as the peak month at 49 events.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell — Pueblo logged 2-inch and Fremont 2.25-inch hail the same day, pointing to a broader convective system moving through the region. Fountain caught the weaker northwestern edge of that activity.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1–2 weeks, which is manageable compared to post-major-storm conditions. Storm chaser risk is assessed as low for Fountain, though the intake notes that most post-storm capacity arrives from contractors based in Colorado Springs or larger metros. Colorado does not issue a state roofing license, so credentials require individual vetting — Colorado Senate Bill 38 (C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105) mandates a written contract on jobs over $1,000 with specific consumer protections built in. Before signing anything, confirm current general liability insurance, workers' compensation coverage, and a verifiable local business address.
Permits & building code
At 1.5 inches, repair rather than full replacement is the more likely outcome on most roofs, though functional damage on older shingles can push a claim toward replacement. El Paso County requires a permit — the contractor pulls it, inspections are required, and permit costs run $100–$250. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior AC or skylights 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 and workers' compensation, a written contract compliant with C.R.S. § 6-22-101, and a verifiable local address.
- 4Know Colorado law: under C.R.S. § 6-22-105, any contractor who offers to waive or cover your deductible is committing a misdemeanor — and you can face liability for knowingly accepting.
- 5Keep copies of all inspection reports, contractor estimates, and correspondence in one folder — you'll need them if a claim becomes viable later.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Fountain inspection
Hail size and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI); a full NWS ground-truth write-up is pending.