The June 21 and 22, 2023 Denver hailstorms are back-to-back storms that ran from Red Rocks to Highlands Ranch, across the foothills and the southwest metro. On the evening of June 21, hail up to 2 inches fell on a concert at Red Rocks Amphitheatre, where 7 people were hospitalized and 83 were treated on scene, after ping pong ball hail crossed downtown Denver. On the afternoon of June 22, a supercell dropped 2.5-inch (tennis ball) hail near Indian Hills and 2-inch hail in Morrison and Columbine, then spun up an EF1 tornado in Highlands Ranch. NOAA logged 67 hail reports in the metro counties across the two days.
What happened on June 21 and 22, 2023
June 21 was a long severe weather day. NWS Boulder’s summary counts 33 tornadoes in Washington County and 3 in Logan County out on the plains, while several rounds of hail crossed the metro. Between about 8:35 and 8:55 p.m., 1 to 1.5 inch hail fell from Lakewood across downtown Denver. Around 9 p.m. the storms reached Evergreen with golf ball hail, and at about 9:26 p.m. hail up to 2 inches hit Red Rocks Park during a concert, with a substantial number of attendees suffering welts, bruises, broken fingers and some concussions. Another round of 1 to 1.5 inch hail crossed central Denver at about 9:40 p.m.
On June 22, a supercell formed in the higher terrain west of Denver and moved along the Arapahoe and Douglas county line. Starting at about 2:15 p.m., it dropped golf ball hail in Evergreen, 2.5-inch hail northwest of Indian Hills at about 2:31 p.m., 2-inch hail in Morrison at 2:49 p.m. and 2-inch hail west-northwest of Columbine at 3:20 p.m., where the record notes damage to a roof and window screens. At 3:52 p.m. a weather station in Highlands Ranch measured a 76 mph gust, and an EF1 tornado touched down just south of C-470. South Metro Fire responded to dozens of calls for roof damage, downed trees, gas leaks and electrical problems between Lucent and Quebec.
Where the hail fell
| Area | Date | Largest hail on record | Size name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest of Indian Hills | June 22 | 2.50 in. | Tennis ball |
| Red Rocks Park (east of Idledale) | June 21 | 2.00 in. | Hen egg |
| Morrison | June 22 | 2.00 in. | Hen egg |
| West-northwest of Columbine | June 22 | 2.00 in. | Hen egg |
| Evergreen | Both days | 1.75 in. | Golf ball |
| Bow Mar and near Cherry Creek | June 22 | 1.75 in. | Golf ball |
| Lakewood and downtown Denver | June 21 | 1.50 in. | Ping pong ball |
| Highlands Ranch, Parker and The Pinery | June 22 | 1.00 to 1.25 in. | Quarter to half dollar |
If you live in Morrison, Lakewood or Highlands Ranch, read our Highlands Ranch hail storm guide on handling the roofers who knock after a storm like this.
What this mix of hail and wind does to a roof
Two-inch hail is enough to fracture standard asphalt shingles and split wood shakes, and foothills homes under trees in Evergreen, Indian Hills and Morrison can take limb damage in the same storm. In Highlands Ranch, the damage pattern was different: a tornado’s winds tear shingles off in strips, lift ridge caps and drive debris into roofs and windows, with only quarter-size hail. A home there may have wind damage on one slope and almost no hail marks. Insurers treat both as wind and hail losses, often under the same deductible, but the inspection has to document each kind separately.
How to check a roof for this storm
- Match your area to the right day; Red Rocks and downtown were June 21, the southwest and south metro June 22.
- In the foothills, check wood shakes for fresh, light-colored splits and metal for round dents.
- In Highlands Ranch, look for missing or folded shingles, lifted ridge caps and debris on the roof.
- Book an inspection that photographs hail hits and wind damage slope by slope.
Claim timing for a Colorado storm
Colorado sets no single deadline to report roof damage; your policy does, often as prompt notice. A Colorado homeowner's policy cannot give you less time to sue than the statute of limitations (C.R.S. 10-4-110.8(12)), and the Division of Insurance advises calling your insurer or agent soon after a hailstorm. Replacement cost policies usually hold back depreciation until the work is done: see finishing repairs to recover depreciation and how long you have to file a hail claim.
This storm is now 3 years old, and hail marks weather. An inspection shows whether marks look fresh or aged, which an adjuster weighs when tying damage to a date. General information, not legal advice; the claim is always yours, and our part is the inspection, dated photos and written scope.
Denver, CO inspection and hail help
If you live in the Denver metro, start with our Denver hail damage repair page, book a free Denver roof inspection, or read what a Denver roof inspection covers. Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned and family-run since 1990, an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews, and we respond the same business day. Call (303) 209-0152.
Other recorded storms in the Denver metro
- May 30, 2024 Hailstorm: hail to 2.75 in.
- June 6, 2020 Derecho: gusts to 81 mph
- June 18 and 19, 2018 Hailstorms: hail to 3 in.
- May 8, 2017 Denver hailstorm (full write-up)
- September 29, 2014 Hailstorm: hail to 1.75 in.
- June 6, 2012 hailstorm, Colorado Springs and south Denver (full write-up)
- July 13, 2011 Hailstorm: hail to 4.5 in.
- May 26, 2010 Hailstorm: hail to 2.75 in.
- Full storm archive: Colorado Springs, Denver and Austin
Sources: NOAA SPC storm reports, June 21, 2023; NOAA SPC storm reports, June 22, 2023; NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, event 1107268 (Red Rocks, 2.00 in.); NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, event 1108979 (Indian Hills, 2.50 in.); NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, event 1108974 (Highlands Ranch, 66 kt measured); NWS hail size reference; C.R.S. 10-4-110.8 (unofficial reproduction); Colorado Division of Insurance, hail consumer advisory (May 22, 2024).
