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 |
| $1984.5 million | NOAA lists 'Colorado Hail Storm (July 1990)' (1990-07-11) among billion-dollar disasters affecting Colorado, at $1984.5 million CPI-adjusted ($820.1 million unadjusted). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), 1990 |
| 6848 | Colorado logged 6848 hail reports in NOAA's Storm Events Database from 2010 through 2025; 2023 had the most of any year (769). Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), 2010-2025 |
| About 1 | In IBHS's 2024 field campaign, 26 of 32 shingle test panels were hit by hail about 1 inch or larger. Source: Roofing Contractor, 2024 |
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.
Yes. Most Colorado Springs roofs are at real risk from hail, because severe hail falls here most summers and the city has seen some of the costliest hailstorms in the country. Whether your roof is damaged by the next storm depends on three things you can check now: the age and condition of the roofing, what it is made of, and how big the stones are where you live. A worn standard shingle roof is the most exposed; a newer impact-rated roof is the least.
How big does hail get here?
The National Weather Service (NWS) counts hail 1 inch across (quarter size) or larger as severe. On July 28, 2016, NWS Pueblo recorded widespread baseball-sized hail in Colorado Springs, and that one storm produced more than $350 million in damage claims. Statewide, NOAA’s list of billion-dollar disasters includes at least eight Colorado hailstorm events since 1990, adjusted for inflation. For the months and hours when hail is most likely, see when Colorado hail season starts and peaks.
| Hail size (NWS) | Diameter | What it usually means for a roof |
|---|---|---|
| Penny | 3/4 inch | Below severe. Rarely breaks a sound shingle |
| Quarter | 1 inch | Severe threshold. Worn shingles can bruise or crack |
| Golf ball | 1 3/4 inches | Damage to standard asphalt shingles is common |
| Baseball | 2 3/4 inches | Damage likely on most roof types, plus gutters and siding |
What puts a roof at higher risk
- Age. Asphalt shingles lose granules and flexibility over time. Old shingles crack where new ones would bruise.
- Material. Standard 3-tab and architectural shingles are the most vulnerable. Class 4 impact-rated shingles and metal hold up better; see our Class 4 shingle comparison and the metal roof lifespan in Colorado Springs.
- Past repairs. Patched areas and mismatched shingles often fail first.
- Soft metal. Vents, flashing and gutters dent easily, and a crushed furnace or water heater flue cap can trap exhaust in the house, which PPRBD warns about.
- Skylights and plastic vents. These can crack and leak long before the shingles do.
Five ways to lower your risk
- Get a baseline inspection before spring, so new damage after a storm is clearly new.
- Upgrade at replacement time. If the roof is due anyway, an impact-rated shingle costs only the difference in material.
- Replace brittle accessories like plastic vents and old pipe boots during routine repairs.
- Keep gutters clear so hail and water can drain instead of backing up under the eaves.
- Know the rules before you need them. In the Pikes Peak region, a reroof means removing every old layer, adding drip edge, and, inside the City of Colorado Springs, a Class A roof covering. Our Colorado Springs roofing codes page covers the details.
After a storm
If hail hits, follow the steps in what to do when a storm damages your roof, then book an inspection. We photograph each impact and give you an honest call on hail damage repair versus replacement. If you file a claim, it stays yours; our photos make sure nothing gets missed in the scope. Choosing who does the work? Use our hail roofer checklist. If the claim stalls on a supplement, read our Liberty Mutual hail claim story. Storm damage late in the year can still be fixed before spring; see cold weather roof installs.
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free inspection; we reach out the same business day.
Sources: NWS Pueblo, 2016 annual climate summary; NWS, hail size reference; NOAA NCEI, Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (1980 to 2024 data); PPRBD, roof damage information for homeowners; PPRBD Reroofing Guidelines (rev. 03/05/2024).
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