Baseball-sized hail detected near Fountain, CO on September 20, 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 12 miles southeast of downtown Fountain, with one hail report logged across El Paso County that day. At 3.75 inches — baseball size — architectural asphalt shingles face severe functional damage, not merely cosmetic bruising. Granule loss, cracked tabs, and compromised waterproofing membranes are expected outcomes at this magnitude, regardless of shingle age; older roofs with pre-existing wear will show it faster, but even a 5-year-old roof takes a beating at this size. The county's largest recorded event was 4 inches on August 5, 2023, slightly above this event's magnitude.
A 2% wind/hail deductible on the median Fountain home value of $374,600 works out to roughly $7,492 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft home runs $6,919, with a range of $5,661 to $8,177. 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 larger recorded in El Paso County over the past 10 years, this event ranks third by magnitude — a statistically rare occurrence. The all-time county leader is a 4-inch event from August 5, 2023. September is historically quiet for hail in this county; only 3 September events appear in the 10-year record, well below the July peak of 49.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell. The same system produced 3-inch hail near Pueblo and 1.5-inch hail in both Douglas and Weld counties, along with 1.25-inch hail in Fremont County — a widespread outbreak spanning much of southern Colorado on the same afternoon.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 1 to 2 weeks in this market, which is relatively short. Storm chaser risk is assessed as low for Fountain, though the intake notes that most post-storm capacity comes from contractors based in larger nearby metros. Colorado does not issue a state-level roofing license, but C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105 (Senate Bill 38) requires a written contract on residential jobs over $1,000 that includes specific consumer protections. Before signing anything, confirm the contractor carries general liability and workers' comp, has a verifiable local business address, and ask for all three documents up front.
Permits & building code
At 3.75 inches, full roof replacement is the more likely outcome than spot repair — damage at this magnitude is typically too widespread to patch economically. The contractor pulls the permit in Fountain; expect a permit cost of $100 to $250 and a required inspection before the job closes out. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph all visible damage — roof surface, gutters, downspouts, window screens, and any exterior metal — before anything is disturbed.
- 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: confirm general liability coverage, workers' compensation, and a verifiable local business address before allowing anyone on the roof.
- 4Keep copies of all inspection reports, contractor estimates, and photographs in a single file — digital or physical — organized by date.
- 5Be aware that under C.R.S. § 6-22-105, any contractor who offers to waive or cover your deductible is violating Colorado law; walk away.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Fountain inspection
Hail magnitude and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI); a full NWS storm survey write-up is pending.