Key numbers
103 verified hail storms with stones of 1.5 inches or larger reached El Paso County, which includes Colorado Springs, from 2000 to 2025 in the storm records we keep; the largest measured 4.5 inches (softball size) on July 13, 2011 (NOAA NCEI).
| Hail storms by decade, 2000 to 2025 | 2000s: 35, 2010s: 44, 2020s: 24 Source: Storm library: El Paso County hail history |
|---|---|
| Largest hail | 4.5 in. (softball), July 13, 2011 Source: NOAA NCEI |
| Costliest hail storm | $352.8 million insured losses (2016 dollars), July 28, 2016 Source: RMIIA |
| $1470 million | NOAA lists 'Colorado Hail Storm (July 2009)' (2009-07-20) among billion-dollar disasters affecting Colorado, at $1470 million CPI-adjusted ($1000 million unadjusted). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), 2009 |
| Up to 10% | ENERGY STAR says sealing air leaks and adding insulation can save up to 10% on annual energy bills. Source: ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA) |
| 3418 | The 11 Front Range counties from Pueblo to Larimer and Weld accounted for 3418 of Colorado's 6848 NOAA-logged hail reports from 2010 through 2025. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), 2010-2025 |
A storm counts when the library lists El Paso County among the areas it hit. Each hail size is the storm's largest report, which may have fallen in a neighboring county, and insured losses cover every area the storm hit.
Wind damage on a Colorado Springs roof usually means shingles that are missing, lifted, or creased across the top, plus loose ridge caps and bent flashing at the edges. A few missing shingles can often be repaired the same way they came off: one at a time, matched and sealed. Damage over about 100 square feet becomes a permitted job through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD). Integrity Roofing and Painting inspects free, photographs what the wind did, and sizes the repair to the actual damage.
Where wind does the damage
Gusts hit a roof hardest at its edges and corners, so that is where a wind inspection starts. We check, in this order:
- Ridges and hips, where cap shingles peel off first.
- Rakes and eaves, where the wind gets under the first course and drip edge.
- The field of the roof, for creased shingles that lost their seal but stayed put.
- Flashing, vents and pipe boots, which bend or loosen and let water in.
A creased shingle is easy to miss from the ground and is the one most likely to tear loose in the next storm. We photograph each one so you can see it.
When El Paso County requires a permit
PPRBD’s wind damage guidance for homeowners is specific:
- Under 100 square feet of roofing, siding or stucco damage counts as repair or maintenance and does not need a PPRBD permit.
- Over that, the job needs a permit, and the contractor who pulls it must be licensed with PPRBD.
- During an open reroof, if wind hits before the permit is inspected, a second REROOF (STORM REPAIR) permit can be issued for a flat $135. The inspector notes whether the damage is over or under one square (100 square feet).
- Falling or flying debris that damaged the structure needs a Colorado licensed design professional to assess it, and structural repairs need a permit.
- Damaged electrical service needs an electrical permit; for an emergency electrical repair, PPRBD requires the permit within 72 hours of the incident.
Repair or replace after a windstorm
A repair makes sense when the damage is limited to a few areas and the surrounding shingles still seal down. Replacement makes sense when shingles are brittle, when many slopes lost their seal, or when the roof already has hail wear. If you replace, ask about shingles with a higher wind rating; our article on ASTM D3161 wind ratings explains the labels. If water is already coming in, see emergency roof repair. If the same storm brought hail, see hail damage repair.
Insurance and your claim
Wind is a common covered peril, but your policy decides what is covered. The claim stays yours; we provide photos and make sure nothing gets missed in the scope. Our guide on how long you have to finish repairs and recover depreciation is worth reading before you sign anything, and the storm damage repair overview covers Colorado’s contract protections.
Who you are hiring
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor, BBB accredited with an A+ rating, and backed by 650+ Google reviews. Book a free inspection or call (719) 488-2800; we respond the same business day.
Sources: PPRBD, Wind Damage Information (7/12/2024); PPRBD, Hail & Disaster Information.
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