Key numbers
45 verified hail storms with stones of 1.75 inches or larger reached Denver County from 1984 to 2026 in the storm records we keep; the largest measured 4.5 inches (softball size) on July 13, 2011 (NOAA NCEI).
| Hail storms by decade, 1984 to 2026 | 1980s: 1, 1990s: 4, 2000s: 12, 2010s: 17, 2020s: 11 Source: Storm library: Denver metro hail history |
|---|---|
| Largest hail | 4.5 in. (softball), July 13, 2011 Source: NOAA NCEI |
| Costliest hail storm | $2.3 billion insured losses (2017 dollars), May 8, 2017 Source: RMIIA |
| 9 | Denver County, Colorado had 9 hail reports of 2 inches or larger (hen-egg size or bigger) in NOAA's Storm Events Database from 2010 through 2025. Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), 2010-2025 |
| $225.0 million | The October 1, 1994 hailstorm in the Denver metro area caused $225.0 million in insured losses ($358.8 million in 2015 dollars), per RMIIA. Source: Denver7 (reporting RMIIA), 1994 |
| $2.2 billion | NOAA records the May 8, 2017 Denver hailstorm as the most expensive hailstorm in Colorado history, with insured losses exceeding $2.2 billion ($2.8 billion CPI-adjusted). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 2017 |
A storm counts when the library lists Denver 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.
Denver hail is bad enough that some of its storms rank among the costliest weather disasters in the country, and the roof that holds up best is an impact-rated one. NOAA’s billion-dollar disaster list includes at least eight Colorado hailstorm events since 1990, and on May 8, 2017, the National Weather Service reported hail up to baseball size around Golden, Lakewood, Wheat Ridge and northwest Denver. The best performers are Class 4 impact-rated shingles, metal and concrete tile; the ones that suffer most are older standard shingles and low-slope membranes.
Colorado hail on NOAA’s billion-dollar list
| Storm (NOAA name) | Date | Losses at the time |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Hail Storm | July 11, 1990 | $820 million |
| Colorado Hail Storm | July 20, 2009 | $1.0 billion |
| Colorado Hail Storm and Central Severe Weather | May 8 to 11, 2017 | $3.35 billion (includes storms outside Colorado) |
| Colorado Hail Storm | June 18 to 19, 2018 | $2.2 billion |
| Colorado Hail Storms | July 4 to 5, 2019 | $1.0 billion |
NOAA names these as Colorado events, not by city; the May 8, 2017 storm hit the west and northwest Denver metro directly, and you can read how that storm unfolded. The NWS counts hail of 1 inch (quarter size) or larger as severe; golf-ball hail is 1 3/4 inches and baseball hail 2 3/4 inches.
Which roofs hold up best
- Class 4 impact-rated asphalt shingles. Tested to the UL 2218 impact standard. The most common hail upgrade in Denver and often the best value. Our Class 4 shingle comparison covers the products.
- Metal. Resists punctures well, though large hail can leave cosmetic dents. See metal roofing in Denver.
- Concrete tile. Heavy and durable, but individual tiles can crack and need replacing. See tile roofing.
- Standard architectural shingles. Fine when new, but they lose flexibility and granules with age, and old shingles crack where new ones bruise.
- Low-slope membranes. Porches, patios and additions with membrane roofs take hail head-on and are worth checking after every storm.
Whatever the material, Denver requires shingles labeled for the wind zone your street sits in, from 115 mph east of Federal Boulevard to 140 mph between Sheridan and Kipling. Our Denver roofing codes page has the details.
After a Denver hailstorm
- Look from the ground. Dented gutters, downspouts and vents, torn screens and chipped paint all mean the roof took hits.
- Stop leaks first. Broken skylights and holes need cover before the next rain.
- Get it documented. A free inspection with photos of each impact tells you whether it is worth a claim. If you file, the claim stays yours; our photos make sure nothing gets missed in the scope.
- Hire carefully. Big storms bring door-to-door crews. Colorado roofing contracts must be written, list the scope and cost, and give you a 72-hour right to cancel if your claim is denied. Our Highlands Ranch hail guide covers handling door knockers.
When the damage is confirmed, see hail damage roof repair in Denver for how the city’s rules shape the repair, our Denver roof insurance claim help guide, or roof replacement.
For the statewide pattern, including the peak month and the hours most storms hit, read Colorado hail season: when it starts, peaks and ends. Past storms are covered in our weather guides, and the City’s permit and wind rules in our Denver roofing guides.
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews, with a Denver-area office in Centennial. Call (303) 209-0152 or book a free Denver hail inspection; we reach out the same business day.
For a printable list of what to do in the first day and week after hail, use our after-hail storm damage checklist.
Sources: NOAA NCEI, Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (1980 to 2024 data; unadjusted costs shown); NWS Denver/Boulder, May 8, 2017 severe weather report; NWS, hail size reference; City and County of Denver, Roofing Guide and Checklist (updated 4/11/2024); C.R.S. 6-22-103 and 6-22-104 (unofficial reproduction).
