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 |
| 5,432 | NOAA's Storm Prediction Center reported 5,432 hail events in the U.S. in 2025, up from 5,373 in 2024. Source: Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I), 2025 |
| 1.00 | The National Weather Service raised its severe hail threshold from 0.75 inch to 1.00 inch in 2010. Source: NOAA/NWS Storm Prediction Center, 2010 |
| More than 9,000 | IBHS made more than 9,000 hailstones for a full-scale hailstorm demonstration on a test house in 2013. Source: Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), 2013 |
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.
How you get your roof ready for winter after a hard summer of hail and heat in Colorado Springs is a matter of order, and the order that works is: have it inspected for storm damage and file any claim, clear the gutters and downspouts, trim branches over the roof, check attic insulation and ventilation, reseal small gaps at vents and flashing, and book any repairs before the snow. Finish by the end of October if you can: the National Weather Service’s normals show October averages 2.5 inches of snow in Colorado Springs and November 4.4 inches.
1. Get the roof inspected for storm damage
Hail bruises are easy to miss from the ground, and wind can lift shingles without tearing them off. A free inspection with photos tells you whether you have storm damage, normal wear or both. If there is damage, the claim stays yours to file; we document it and make sure nothing gets missed in the scope. Read how long you have to file a hail damage claim before you wait until spring.
2. Clean the gutters and downspouts
Gutters that hold leaves and needles cannot drain melting snow, and standing water in a gutter freezes, adds weight and helps ice dams form. Clear them after the leaves drop and check that downspouts send water away from the foundation. If summer hail split or crushed sections, see repair or replace your gutters. Gutter guards cut down on the cleaning, especially under pines.
3. Trim overhanging branches
Wet snow loads branches and brings them down on the roof and gutters. Trim limbs that touch or overhang the roof, and call a tree service for anything large or near power lines.
4. Check attic insulation and ventilation
| What you see in the attic | What it means | Fix before winter |
|---|---|---|
| Thin or patchy insulation | Heat escapes and melts snow on the roof | Add insulation |
| Gaps around lights, fans, chimneys | Warm air leaks into the attic | Air-seal the gaps |
| Bath fan ducted into the attic | Moist air condenses on the deck | Vent it outside |
| Blocked soffit vents | No cold air to keep the deck even | Clear or add baffles |
Warm attics cause ice dams; see what causes ice dams and how to stop them.
5. Seal small gaps at vents and flashing
Loose storm collars on vent pipes, gaps at pipe boots and lifted flashing at walls let water in once snow sits on them. A roofer can reseal or replace these in an hour or two. Roofing cement is a stopgap, not a fix for damaged shingles.
6. Book repairs before the first big snow
Small repairs can be done in winter on dry, mild days, but schedules get tight and snow on the roof hides problems. Getting work done in October is easier on everyone. If you are not sure whether to repair or replace, see reasons to replace a roof early.
When winter is over, use our spring roof issues guide to check what the season did. For permits, contractor lookups and insurance help, see Colorado Springs roofing resources.
Get your fall roof check
Integrity Roofing and Painting is veteran-owned, has been family-run since 1990, and is an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred contractor with 650+ Google reviews. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free Colorado Springs roof inspection; we reach out the same business day. Hail damage found? See hail damage roof repair in Colorado Springs.
Sources: National Weather Service Pueblo, Colorado Springs Normals and Records (1991 to 2020 monthly snowfall normals).
