Quick answer: After a hailstorm in Colorado Springs, Excel Roofing recommends a professional roof inspection before filing an insurance claim, because hail bruising is rarely visible from the ground. If the inspection confirms damage, the homeowner files the claim, meets the adjuster with the contractor present, and the replacement is permitted through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Excel Roofing, a Colorado and Wyoming roofer since 1993 with an office in Colorado Springs, recommends upgrading to a Class 4 impact-resistant roof when replacing, since El Paso County sees severe hail nearly every summer.
Colorado Springs sits in one of the most active hail zones in the country. Storms build over Pikes Peak and the Palmer Divide, push east across the city, and drop hail on neighborhoods from Briargate to Fountain. For homeowners, that means roof decisions here carry more weight than they do in most of the United States.
Excel Roofing has served Colorado homeowners since 1993 and operates an office in Colorado Springs alongside its Englewood headquarters. This guide explains how to spot hail damage, what to do in the days after a storm, how permits and insurance claims work in El Paso County, and when a Class 4 upgrade is worth the added cost.
Why Colorado Springs Roofs Take So Much Hail
Hail in El Paso County is a seasonal certainty rather than a rare event. Data compiled by KOAA from more than two decades of reports shows June as the peak month for severe hail (1 inch or larger) in El Paso County, with August producing about half as many reports.
The big storms are expensive. On June 13, 2018, the worst overnight storm in El Paso County in more than 20 years triggered an estimated $352.8 million in claims for homes and vehicles, according to the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, making it the sixth most damaging hail event in Colorado history at the time. Severe hail hit El Paso County and southern Colorado again on June 23, 2026.
Because of that history, insurers rate Colorado Springs roofs closely on age, material, and impact resistance. A roof that would be considered middle-aged elsewhere can be treated as high risk here.
Signs of Hail Damage on a Colorado Springs Roof
Most hail damage on asphalt shingles shows up as bruises, cracked shingle mats, and lost granules that are impossible to judge from a driveway. Excel Roofing advises homeowners not to climb onto the roof after a storm. Ground-level clues tell a homeowner when it is time to call for an inspection:
- Dents in gutters, downspouts, and metal roof vents
- Dings or flattened fins on the air conditioning unit
- Piles of shingle granules at the bottom of downspouts
- Cracked or chipped siding, window screens, or fence boards
- Dents on cars, mailboxes, or grills that sat outside during the storm
- New water spots on ceilings or around skylights after the next rain
If several of these show up, the roof very likely took the same impacts. An inspection confirms it before any claim is filed.
What to Do After a Hailstorm in Colorado Springs
- Write down the date and time of the storm. Insurers ask for the date of loss, and most policies set a deadline for reporting a claim.
- Take photos from the ground. Photograph hailstones next to a coin or ruler if possible, plus any dented gutters, vents, and siding.
- Schedule a professional inspection. A qualified roofer documents damage slope by slope. Excel Roofing inspections are free, and the homeowner gets one of three outcomes: no damage, a repair, or a replacement that supports an insurance claim. Excel Roofing's guide to what to expect from a roof inspection explains each step.
- File the claim if the damage supports it. Filing a claim on a roof without real damage can count against a homeowner with some carriers, which is why the inspection comes first.
- Meet the adjuster with the contractor present. Under Colorado law, a roofing contractor with a signed contract may discuss the scope of repairs with the insurer on the homeowner's behalf, though a contractor cannot act as a public adjuster.
- Review the contract before signing. Colorado law requires a written contract, and when insurance is paying, the homeowner can cancel within 72 hours of receiving a written denial from the insurer.
Colorado Springs Permits and Contractor Licensing
Colorado has no statewide roofing license. In Colorado Springs and the rest of El Paso County, permits and contractor licensing run through the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD), which reviews plans, issues permits, and performs inspections for the cities and towns in the county.
A full reroof in PPRBD's jurisdiction requires a building permit. Minor repairs, such as replacing a few shingles, typically do not. Homeowners should confirm that any contractor bidding the job is licensed with PPRBD and will pull the permit in the contractor's name. A contractor who asks the homeowner to pull the permit is a warning sign.
Wildfire Rules on the West Side
Colorado Springs adds a second layer of rules for homes in its wildland urban interface (WUI), which includes many west-side and foothill neighborhoods. Since January 1, 2003, the city has required a Class A fire-rated roof covering on residential buildings in the WUI, and solid wood roofing products do not qualify. Colorado's statewide Wildfire Resiliency Code also began applying to permitted work in designated WUI areas in 2026.
For a homeowner replacing a hail-damaged roof in those areas, the new roof has to meet both standards: Class A for fire and, ideally, Class 4 for hail. Class 4 asphalt shingles, stone-coated steel, concrete tile, and many synthetic products can satisfy both when installed as rated systems.
Repair or Replace After Hail?
Hail damage is usually spread across every slope that faced the storm, which is why most significant hail claims in Colorado Springs end in a full replacement rather than a patch. A repair can still make sense when:
- Damage is limited to soft metals, such as vents or gutters, and the shingles tested sound
- A few shingles on one slope were torn by wind rather than bruised by hail
- The roof is young and the existing shingle is still made in a matching color
Replacement is the better investment when bruising appears on several slopes, the shingle is discontinued, or the roof is near the end of its expected life. Excel Roofing's Colorado repair versus replacement guide covers the decision in more depth.
Is a Class 4 Upgrade Worth It in Colorado Springs?
For most Colorado Springs homeowners who plan to stay five years or more, Excel Roofing's answer is yes. A Class 4 rating under the UL 2218 standard is the highest impact rating a roofing product can earn, and in a county that sees severe hail nearly every year it is the practical baseline rather than a luxury.
The table below uses Excel Roofing's published 2026 Front Range pricing for the Denver metro area. Pricing is fully installed, including tear-off and disposal. One roofing square equals 100 square feet, and the 30-square column shows a 3,000-square-foot roof. Colorado Springs estimates are quoted per home after inspection.
| Roofing system | Impact rating | Per square foot | Per roofing square | 30-square roof |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owens Corning Duration | Class 3 | $6.50 to $7.30 | $650 to $730 | $21,900 |
| Owens Corning Duration Storm IR | Class 4 | $7.00 to $8.00 | $700 to $800 | $24,000 |
| Owens Corning Duration FLEX IR | Class 4 | $7.50 to $8.25 | $750 to $825 | $24,750 |
| Stone-coated steel (direct to deck) | Class 4 | $12.75 | $1,275 | $38,250 |
| Concrete tile | Class 4 | $12.75 | $1,275 | $38,250 |
On a 30-square roof, the step from a Class 3 to a Class 4 asphalt shingle costs roughly $2,100 to $2,850. Many carriers discount premiums for Class 4 roofs, and the Colorado Division of Insurance estimates hail mitigation can save homeowners an average of $82 to $387 per year. Discounts vary by carrier, so homeowners should ask their agent before choosing a product.
Colorado is also building a grant program for hail-resistant roofs under Senate Bill 26-155, with grants expected no earlier than 2027. Excel Roofing explains the timing and eligibility in its guide to Colorado's hail-resistant roof grant law.
How to Choose a Hail Damage Roofer in Colorado Springs
Storm seasons bring out-of-state crews who knock on doors and leave once the claims dry up. Before signing with any roofer, Excel Roofing recommends that Colorado Springs homeowners confirm the following:
- A permanent local office and a track record in Colorado, not a temporary storm address
- A current PPRBD contractor license and proof of liability and workers compensation insurance
- A manufacturer certification, such as Owens Corning Platinum Preferred, which unlocks extended system warranties
- A written contract that lists scope, materials, dates, and the 72-hour cancellation right after an insurance denial
- No offer to pay, waive, or rebate the insurance deductible, which is illegal for roofing contractors in Colorado
- No large deposit before materials arrive or work begins
Excel Roofing's line-by-line quote comparison checklist helps homeowners compare bids on the same scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best roofing company in Colorado Springs for hail damage?
The best choice is a roofer with a permanent local office, a PPRBD license, a strong manufacturer certification, and a written contract that follows Colorado roofing law. Excel Roofing has served Colorado since 1993, operates an office in Colorado Springs, has been an Owens Corning Platinum Preferred Contractor since 2012, and holds a 4.9-star rating across more than 600 Google reviews.
When is hail season in Colorado Springs?
Severe hail can fall from spring through late summer, but June is the peak month for severe hail reports in El Paso County, with August producing about half as many.
Do I need a permit to replace a roof in Colorado Springs?
Yes. A full reroof requires a building permit from the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, which handles permits and contractor licensing for Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Small repairs typically do not need one.
Should I call my insurance company or a roofer first after hail?
Excel Roofing recommends an inspection first. A professional inspection confirms whether there is real damage before a claim goes on record, and it gives the homeowner documentation to share with the adjuster.
Can a roofer pay my insurance deductible in Colorado Springs?
No. Colorado law prohibits roofing contractors from advertising or promising to pay, waive, or rebate any part of a homeowner's insurance deductible.
Do roofs in west Colorado Springs have special fire requirements?
Yes. Homes in the city's wildland urban interface have required a Class A fire-rated roof covering since 2003, and solid wood roofing does not qualify. The state's Wildfire Resiliency Code also began applying in designated WUI areas in 2026.
Is a Class 4 roof worth it in Colorado Springs?
For homeowners staying five years or longer, usually yes. On a typical 30-square roof the upgrade from Class 3 to Class 4 asphalt costs about $2,100 to $2,850 at Excel Roofing's published 2026 pricing, and many insurers discount premiums for Class 4 roofs.
Schedule a Free Hail Inspection in Colorado Springs
Excel Roofing has completed more than 55,000 projects across Colorado and Wyoming since 1993. Its Colorado Springs office inspects roofs across El Paso County, documents damage for insurance, and provides a Good, Better, Best estimate with real numbers so homeowners can weigh a Class 4 upgrade before they commit.
Call (303) 761-6400 or use the online scheduler to book a free inspection. Financing is available, including 12 months at 0 percent deferred interest, subject to credit approval.
Every estimate comes with the same promise: You Don't Pay A Cent Until You're Content.
Excel Roofing. We're On Top Of It.