A roof replacement or repair in Divide is permitted and inspected by the Teller County Building Department, because Divide is in unincorporated Teller County. The county’s re-roof application asks whether the job is a tear-off, an overlay or a repair, requires an ice and water shield inspection on every structure, needs a separate permit for each building on the property, and expects the contractor to give inspectors safe access to the roof. Divide also sits high: the National Weather Service forecast point for Divide is at 9,163 feet, so snow, ice at the eaves and mountain hail shape how the roof should be built.
What does Teller County’s re-roof permit cover?
| Item | What the county’s application says |
|---|---|
| Who issues it | Teller County Building Department, for unincorporated Teller County (719-687-3048) |
| Codes | 2021 IRC, 2021 IBC and the 2023 Teller County Building Code, including its underlayment amendments |
| Permit types | Residential overlay, tear-off or roof repair; commercial is separate |
| Inspection | An ice and water shield inspection is required on all structures |
| Outbuildings | Each structure on the property needs its own permit |
| Access | The contractor provides a safe way onto the roof for every inspection |
| Fees | Set by the project’s valuation on the county’s published schedule |
Cripple Creek, Victor and the City of Woodland Park run their own building departments, so these rules are specific to unincorporated addresses such as Divide.
Why does the county inspect the ice and water shield?
At more than 9,000 feet, snow sits on a roof for long stretches, and meltwater refreezes at the cold eaves. That ice backs water up under the shingles. A self-adhering ice and water membrane at the eaves, valleys and penetrations is what keeps that water out of the house, and once shingles cover it, nobody can check it. Teller County makes it an inspection item for that reason. Ask your roofer for photos of the membrane before it is covered so you have your own record, and read more in our ice and water shield guide.
Hail on the north slope of Pikes Peak
Mountain storms in Divide are short and sharp. NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center logged 1.25-inch hail about 3 miles west-northwest of town on July 4, 2010, and 1-inch hail at the same location on August 6, 2018. The National Weather Service calls hail of 1 inch or more severe. After a storm like that, look for dents in gutters and vents and granules at the downspouts, then book an inspection before you decide anything. Our hail damage repair page shows what we check.
Which roofs make sense on a high, wooded lot?
- Impact-resistant asphalt. Class 4 shingles are built to resist hail; compare lines in our Class 4 shingle comparison.
- Standing seam metal. Sheds snow and has no exposed fasteners; see standing seam metal roofing.
- A Class A fire rating. On a lot surrounded by trees, ask for a roof covering with a Class A fire rating, whatever the material.
Served from Colorado Springs, up Ute Pass
Our office at 115 N Union Blvd in Colorado Springs serves Divide and the rest of Teller County. Nearby: Woodland Park, Green Mountain Falls and the Teller County overview. For a leak or a few missing shingles, see roof repair in Divide. All towns are on our service area list.
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned, family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, and has 650+ Google reviews. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free roof inspection; we reply the same business day.
Sources: Teller County, Re-Roof Application (Rev 8/2024); Teller County Building Division; National Weather Service, Divide point forecast (elevation); NOAA Storm Prediction Center storm reports for July 4, 2010 and August 6, 2018 (preliminary); NWS glossary: severe thunderstorm.
