Golf ball-sized hail detected near Lakewood, CO on June 24, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Lakewood 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 17 miles west of downtown Lakewood, with one hail report logged in Jefferson County that day. At 2.25 inches, this is large enough to cause functional damage — not just cosmetic — to architectural asphalt shingles: expect cracked or missing granules, fractured mat layers, and compromised waterproofing on roofs over 10–15 years old. Newer shingles may show cosmetic bruising without immediate leaks, but that damage still shortens roof life. Homes with older 3-tab shingles or wood shake face a higher probability of through-damage requiring full replacement rather than repair.
On a home at Lakewood's median value of $548,200, a 2% wind/hail deductible works out to roughly $10,964. Typical repair cost for a 2,000 sq ft roof runs $6,941, ranging from $5,679 to $8,203. 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 Lakewood inspection
Lakewood repair cost reference
Historical context
This 2.25-inch event ranks first out of 53 recorded hail events of 1 inch or greater in the 10-year Jefferson County record, surpassing the previous largest of 2 inches recorded on June 22, 2023. That 10-year dataset supports a reliable historical comparison, and this event stands as the most powerful on record. June is historically the most active hail month for this county, accounting for 25 of those 53 events.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell. The same system produced golf ball-sized hail in Denver and Larimer County, ping pong ball-sized hail in Weld and Arapahoe counties, and the day's largest report — 2.5 inches — in El Paso County, indicating a widespread convective outbreak across the Front Range and into southern Wyoming.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs of 4–8 weeks; scheduling an inspection now rather than waiting reduces your exposure to that delay. The city intake assessment rates storm chaser risk as high — door-to-door solicitation typically begins within 24–48 hours of a significant storm in Lakewood. Colorado does not require a state roofing license, but C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105 (Colorado SB 38) mandates a written contract with specific consumer protections on any residential job over $1,000. Before signing anything, confirm the contractor carries current general liability and workers' comp insurance and has a verifiable local business address.
Permits & building code
At 2.25 inches, full roof replacement is the more likely outcome than patch repair on most housing stock, particularly on roofs with aging shingles. Jefferson County requires a permit pulled by the contractor, with an inspection required and permit costs typically running $150–$400 — confirm this is included in any written estimate. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, siding, and any outdoor equipment from ground level before anyone walks the roof.
- 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 general liability and workers' comp certificates before allowing roof access.
- 4Ask for a written contract that complies with Colorado SB 38 before work begins — it is legally required on jobs over $1,000.
- 5Keep all documentation — photos, inspection reports, written estimates, and contracts — in one folder in case you need them later.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Lakewood inspection
Hail magnitude and location are based on NOAA NEXRAD radar data (SWDI) and are radar-confirmed; a full NWS storm survey write-up is pending.