Golf ball-sized hail detected near Pueblo, CO on August 19, 2026
Hail was detected at a radar-indicated point within the Pueblo 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 centered approximately 1 mile south of downtown Pueblo, with one hail report logged county-wide that day. At 2 inches, golf ball-sized hail routinely causes functional damage to standard architectural asphalt shingles — not just cosmetic bruising, but granule loss and fractures that compromise the waterproofing layer. Roofs older than 10–15 years are most vulnerable; newer shingles may show damage that isn't obvious from the ground. The county's largest recorded event reached 3 inches on July 13, 2023, so this storm is serious but not unprecedented.
On a $230,900 home with a 2% hail deductible, you're looking at roughly $4,618 out of pocket before insurance pays anything. Typical repair costs for a 2,000 square foot roof run $6,417 — ranging from $5,250 to $7,584 — and full replacement averages $10,695. Get a professional inspection before making any insurance decisions.
At these numbers, the typical repair cost exceeds a standard 2% deductible. Contact your insurer — damage at this level is likely worth filing before you pay out of pocket.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Pueblo inspection
Pueblo repair cost reference
Historical context
Among 86 hail events of 1 inch or larger recorded in Pueblo County over the past 10 years, this event ranks 9th by magnitude. The largest on record is a 3-inch event from July 13, 2023. August historically produces 13 events per decade in this county, which runs above average and makes late-summer storms here a normal occurrence, not an anomaly.
Storm system
This was not an isolated cell — the same system produced quarter-sized hail in Douglas County, ping pong-sized hail in El Paso County, and 2.25-inch hail in Fremont County, suggesting a broad regional hail event across southern Colorado.
Contractor guidance
Local contractor data shows current backlogs running 2–4 weeks, which limits your options if you wait. Storm chaser risk in Pueblo is rated moderate; the intake assessment notes that out-of-area contractors move in after major regional events, and a county with limited local capacity is exactly the environment where that happens. Colorado does not require a state roofing license, but C.R.S. §§ 6-22-101 to 6-22-105 (Senate Bill 38) mandates a written contract with specific consumer protections on any residential job over $1,000. Before signing anything, verify current general liability and workers' comp coverage and a verifiable local business address.
Permits & building code
At 2 inches, full replacement is a real possibility on older roofs, though inspection results will drive that call. The contractor pulls the permit in Pueblo, inspection is required, and permit costs typically run $150–$350. Class 4 impact-resistant shingles qualify for a 10–20% discount with most Colorado insurers.
- 1Photograph your roof, gutters, downspouts, and any exterior surfaces from ground level — date-stamp every image before anything is cleaned up or repaired.
- 2Schedule a professional roof inspection with a licensed, locally verifiable contractor to document the scope of damage.
- 3Contact your insurance company to report potential hail damage and ask about your policy's claim procedures.
- 4Vet any contractor before signing: request proof of general liability insurance, workers' comp, and a written contract that complies with Colorado SB 38 — any offer to cover your deductible is illegal under C.R.S. § 6-22-105 and voids the insurer's obligation to honor that estimate.
- 5Keep a file of all inspection reports, contractor estimates, insurer correspondence, and receipts — you will need this documentation throughout the claims process.
This storm may have damaged your roof — get a free Pueblo inspection
This event is radar-confirmed via NOAA NEXRAD (SWDI) and is pending full write-up by the National Weather Service.