Roofing in Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs sits about 6,000 feet up at the foot of Pikes Peak, with neighborhoods on the west side climbing toward the foothills. That puts many homes in both hail country and wildfire country. The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department (PPRBD) issued more than 17,000 reroof permits in 2023, up 179% from 2022, after that summer's hailstorms, and 16,139 in 2024. On the fire side, the city banned new wood shake roofs on homes after a 2002 fire department review, and its fire department counts more than 69,000 roofs replaced or upgraded to Class A since.

Hail in Colorado Springs

We counted hail days from NOAA's Storm Events Database: distinct dates with at least one report of hail 1 inch or larger within 5 miles of City Hall, 107 N. Nevada Ave. downtown. We measure from City Hall because the commonly published center point for the city sits far out in its eastern annexed area, which would skew the count. Data runs from April 2010 through July 2026.

• 37 hail days with 1-inch or larger stones since April 2010.
• 6 of those came in 2021 or later.
• The largest stone reported was 3 inches, on June 12, 2018.
• Colorado Springs' count of 1-inch hail days ranks first of the 18 Colorado cities in this guide (see hail by city).

NOAA's record depends on trained spotters and the public reporting what they see, so it misses storms and can't tell you what hit your roof. A 5-mile circle also leaves out part of a city this large. On August 5, 2023, for example, reports of 1- to 2-inch hail fell within 10 miles of City Hall but not within 5. To see the storms near your own house, check your exact address. For what different stone sizes do to a roof, see hail size and damage.

Permits and inspections

PPRBD handles building permits for Colorado Springs, unincorporated El Paso County, Fountain, Woodland Park, Manitou Springs, Monument, Green Mountain Falls, Palmer Lake and Calhan. The code in effect is the 2023 Pikes Peak Regional Building Code, 2nd printing, which adopts the 2021 International Residential Code (IRC). Colorado has no statewide residential code, so this regional code is what counts here. As of October 2026, PPRBD's reroof guidelines (revised March 2024) and storm information page say:

• When you need a permit: any repair or replacement over 100 square feet. Only repairs under 100 square feet are exempt.
• Start of work: stocking materials on the driveway or roof counts as starting. Working without a permit can bring a triple permit fee and a stop-work order.
• Permit life: 180 days, with one free 180-day extension.
• Fees: PPRBD doesn't publish a flat reroof fee. It points to its online fee calculator.
• Inspections: asphalt shingle and direct-to-deck metal shingle roofs get no mid-roof inspection, only a final. Tile roofs need a dry-in inspection after underlayment, battens and flashing are on and before any tile is stocked on the roof.
• Who schedules: the contractor who pulled the permit, not you. Reroof inspections aren't same-day or next-day. The inspector knocks, leaves a door hanger if no one answers, and results are emailed to the contractor.
• Tear-off: all existing layers must come off before a new asphalt roof goes on. Overlays aren't allowed for asphalt.
• Ice barrier: required only above 7,000 feet. Your property's elevation is printed on the permit receipt.
• Drip edge: required at eaves and rakes of shingle roofs.
• Other details: asphalt shingles can't go on slopes under 2:12. Plank decking gaps over 1/4 inch must be re-decked, overlaid or filled. Roofers may replace only a gas vent's cap, collar and jack; the vent itself needs a licensed HVAC contractor. Removing solar panels needs its own detach-and-reset permit.

Questions go to PPRBD at 719-327-2880. For what happens on tear-off day, see the reroof process.

Who can do the work

Colorado has no state roofing license. In the Pikes Peak region, roofing falls under PPRBD's Building Contractor D (Specialty) license, and PPRBD says to make sure your contractor is licensed with it before work begins. Check a roofer with PPRBD's licensed contractor search. The permit search shows jobs a contractor has pulled permits for.

You can pull a homeowner permit only for your own primary residence, which you own and live in, and only if you do the work yourself. A roofer who asks you to pull the permit for a job they're doing is a red flag. State contract rules still apply to any hired roofer on a job over $1,000, including your right to cancel under C.R.S. 6-22-104. Our check out a roofer page walks through the rest of the vetting.

Class 4 and wildfire rules

We found no Class 4 (impact-resistant) shingle requirement in PPRBD's code or reroof guidelines, checked October 30, 2026. Class 4 is still worth weighing here; see Class 4 shingles for what the rating does and doesn't mean.

Fire rules are stricter. The city's wildland-urban interface appendix, section K104.1, requires a Class A roof covering, excluding solid wood, on homes whenever a permitted roofing or reroofing job is done within city limits, unless the fire code official approves otherwise. It sets no percentage threshold. PPRBD's reroof guidelines also call for Class A on one- and two-family homes. The fire department lists asphalt shingles, metal, concrete and clay tile, slate and synthetic products among typical Class A choices.

We found no separate published rule from the City or PPRBD applying the state's Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code to reroofs, as of October 30, 2026. The city's own Class A rule already covers the roof covering itself. Ask PPRBD whether anything more applies at your address.

HOAs and historic districts

Homes in a Historic Preservation overlay need Historic Preservation Board review before construction or modification, and PPRBD issues the permit only after approval. If you live in the Old North End or another overlay area, call the city's land use review office before you pick a material or color. The Old North End neighborhood group points reroof questions to the city at 719-385-5982.

Many newer subdivisions have HOAs with rules on roof color and material. Get written approval before you sign a contract. Our condo, townhome and HOA roofs guide covers who pays when the association owns the roof.

Finding your roof's history

PPRBD's permit search and public permit map show past reroof permits by address. A finaled reroof permit is the best evidence of when your roof was replaced. Given the 2023 storms, check 2023 and 2024 first. Our roof age guide covers other clues if no permit turns up.

Local resources

• PPRBD reroof guidelines and storm and disaster information (719-327-2880)
• PPRBD permit search
• PPRBD licensed contractor search
• El Paso County Assessor
• Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management and National Weather Service Pueblo

Common questions

Do I need a permit to replace my roof in Colorado Springs?

Yes. PPRBD requires a permit for any roof repair or replacement over 100 square feet. Repairs under 100 square feet are exempt. The permit is valid for 180 days, with one free 180-day extension.

Can I reroof my own house in Colorado Springs?

Yes, if you own the home, live in it as your primary residence and do the work yourself. PPRBD's homeowner permit doesn't cover hiring someone else. A hired roofer must be licensed with PPRBD.

Does Colorado Springs require Class 4 shingles?

We found no Class 4 requirement in PPRBD's code or reroof guidelines as of October 2026. The city does require a Class A fire-rated roof covering, excluding solid wood, on permitted residential reroofs.

Is ice and water shield required in Colorado Springs?

PPRBD's reroof guidelines require an ice barrier only above 7,000 feet of elevation. Your property's elevation is printed on the permit receipt. Below that line you can still ask for it at the eaves; it's a choice, not a code rule.