Key numbers
Colorado law (HB16-1005) allows up to two rain barrels per household with a combined capacity of 110 gallons, filled only from rooftop downspouts and used outdoors (Colorado State University Extension, 2016 law).
| 20 | NAHB's 2007 study puts gutter life at more than 50 years for copper and 20 years for aluminum. Source: National Association of Home Builders / Bank of America Home Equity, 2007 |
|---|---|
| About 620 | One inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof produces about 620 gallons of water that gutters must carry away. Source: Texas A&M AgriLife |
The best gutter system for a Colorado Springs home is usually seamless aluminum K-style, 5-inch on most homes and 6-inch on large or steep roofs, with enough downspouts to drain summer cloudbursts, hangers strong enough for snow and ice, and snow guards above the gutter wherever snow slides off the roof. Colorado Springs homes are built for a design ground snow load of 43 pounds per square foot below 7,000 feet and 57 above it, and our summer storms bring hail that dents thin metal first, so gutters here are chosen for snow and hail as much as for rain.
1. Size the gutter for storms, not averages
Most homes do well with 5-inch K-style gutters. Step up to 6-inch when:
- A roof plane is large or steep, or two slopes empty into one valley above the gutter.
- A long run has only one downspout.
- Water already sheets over the front of the gutter in a hard rain.
Downspouts matter as much as the gutter. Plan at least one for every 20 to 30 feet of gutter, and use larger downspouts on 6-inch systems. See K-style gutters and half-round gutters for the profiles.
2. Hang them for snow and ice
PPRBD’s design criteria set the snow load homes here are built for: 43 psf on the ground below 7,000 feet and 57 psf at or above it. Snow that melts on a warm roof and refreezes at the cold eave builds ice in the gutter. That weight is what pulls gutters loose. Ask for:
- Hidden hangers spaced closely and screwed into solid fascia, not nailed.
- Sound fascia boards. Rotted fascia under an old gutter should be replaced before the new gutter goes up.
- Snow guards on metal roofs and steep slopes above gutters, so snow slabs do not shear the gutter off. Our comparison of asphalt and metal roofs explains why metal sheds snow so fast.
3. Pick a material that survives hail
Aluminum is the standard: it does not rust and comes in many colors. Heavier-gauge aluminum resists hail dents better than thin stock; steel is stronger but can rust where the finish chips; copper is a premium look for historic homes. After a storm, dented gutters are often the first visible proof of hail size, which is why inspectors check them first. If yours were dented in a storm, include them in the inspection; see our hail damage repair page.
4. Choose seamless where you can
Seamless gutters are formed on site in one piece per run, so the only joints are at corners and downspouts. Fewer joints mean fewer leaks after years of freeze and thaw. Sectional gutters still have a place for repairs and odd runs.
5. Decide on guards for your trees
If you have pines or cottonwoods, gutter guards save cleanup. Choose a style that sheds snow and does not trap ice at the eave.
6. Coordinate gutters with the roof
PPRBD requires drip edge at the eaves and rakes of shingle roofs, and that edge needs to lap correctly into the gutter so water does not run behind it. If a new roof is coming in the next few years, plan the gutters with it. Match the color to the roof and trim; our shingle color guide helps with that, and roof maintenance that helps in Colorado covers seasonal gutter cleaning.
What it costs
Size, material, the number of corners and downspouts, the height of the house, guards and fascia repair drive the price. Our gutter cost guide for Colorado Springs explains each one. Homeowners in Cimarron Hills and the east side see more hail-dented gutters than most.
Get gutters sized for your house
Integrity Roofing and Painting installs gutters in Colorado Springs along with roofs and exterior paint. We are veteran-owned, family-run since 1990, with 650+ Google reviews. Call (719) 488-2800 or book a free Colorado Springs inspection and we will measure your runs and downspouts.
Sources: Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, Basic Design Information (snow loads), updated 06/30/2026, and Reroof Guidelines (drip edge), rev. 03/05/2024.
