Colorado roofing news and law tracker

Roofing rules in Colorado change in small steps. A county adopts a new code, a law changes what your insurer must offer, or a storm reshapes a neighborhood's next five years. This page logs the changes that matter to homeowners, newest first, each with a link to its source.

We update this page as things change. Rules here are stated as of the date shown, and local rules can change between reviews, so confirm anything important with your building department or insurer. For how these rules fit together, see insurance in plain English, hiring a roofer and Class 4 impact-resistant roofing.

Last reviewed October 30, 2026.

Where Class 4 is required

Class 4 means a shingle passed the UL 2218 steel-ball impact test. It's a lab rating, not a hail warranty. We confirmed these local rules in each jurisdiction's own documents as of October 2026, except where the table says otherwise. Thresholds and exceptions differ, so ask your building department.

We did not find a Class 4 requirement in the current documents for Denver, Aurora, Lakewood, Douglas County or the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department, which covers Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Several roofing websites list more towns. We include a town here only once we can read the rule in that town's own code or guidance.

2026

October 2026: Wildfire risk-score notices and mitigation discounts begin

HB25-1182 took effect July 1, 2026. The Division of Insurance says notices showing your wildfire risk score start going to applicants October 1, 2026, and current policyholders get them with renewals. Insurers whose models ignore mitigation must offer discounts for qualifying work, and you can appeal your score. This law covers wildfire only, so it does not require a hail or Class 4 roof discount. Colorado Division of Insurance

July 2026: A quieter first half for hail

Moody's reported that Colorado's hail reports in the first half of 2026 ran about half the 2023-2025 average for the same months, with much lower insured losses. One calm stretch doesn't change the long-term risk. Hail season runs into September, and a single storm can still damage thousands of roofs. Moody's

July 2026: The wildfire code is now in force

Local governments with wildland-urban interface areas had to adopt the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code by April 1, 2026 and comply by July 1, 2026. Under the state model code, replacing a roof covering or 25% or more of the roof means the whole new roof must meet the code's roof rules, starting with a Class A fire rating. Local rollouts vary: Centennial's took effect June 30, 2026, Timnath's July 1, and Castle Rock and Arvada now apply hardening rules to reroofs in mapped fire areas. Ask your building department which map zone your home is in. Related reading: gutters and attic vents, both of which the code touches. DFPC code text, Centennial

June 2026: Colorado led the nation in 2025 premium increases

LendingTree's analysis of S&P Global rate data found Colorado homeowners insurance rates rose 18.3% in 2025, the largest increase of any state. Rates more than doubled from 2020 through 2025, up 100.8%. These are filed rate changes, so your own bill may differ. LendingTree

June 2026: Strengthen Colorado Homes becomes law

Governor Polis signed SB26-155 on June 4, 2026. It creates a state enterprise, funded by a 0.5% fee on homeowners premiums starting in 2027, that will give grants for wind- and hail-resilient roofs such as IBHS FORTIFIED roofs. The state asked for board applicants on June 11, and grants are expected no earlier than 2027. The law does not require insurers to give a roof discount. Don't sign anything from a contractor who says the grant is available now. SB26-155 as signed, Colorado Division of Insurance, board call, Colorado Sun on grant timing

June 2026: Golf-ball hail in Denver

A short hailstorm crossed Denver on June 1, 2026, with stones as large as golf balls in parts of the city. The National Weather Service also warned of ping-pong-ball hail in eastern Aurora and Watkins. No damage totals were published. If you were in its path, walk the outside of your house from the ground before anyone climbs your roof. See after a storm. Denverite

April 2026: Fort Collins moves to the 2024 codes

Fort Collins building permits submitted on or after April 1, 2026 fall under the 2024 International Codes with local amendments. The city's existing roofing rules continue, including Class 4 asphalt shingles when 50% or more of the roof is replaced and an ice barrier at all eaves. City of Fort Collins

April 2026: Bill to delay the wildfire code dies

HB26-1334 would have pushed the local adoption deadline for the wildfire code to April 1, 2027. A House committee postponed it indefinitely on April 7, 2026, so the 2026 deadlines stood. BillTrack50

February 2026: The state says hail, not wildfire, drives premiums

A Division of Insurance analysis found hail makes up 26% to 54% of homeowners premiums in the counties studied, versus 1% to 25% for wildfire. It used data from 20 insurers covering about 80% of the market. The state estimated a hail-fortified roof could save $82 to $387 a year, depending on county. CBS Colorado, CPR News

January 2026: More northern Colorado Class 4 rules under 2024 codes

Larimer County updated its roofing requirements to the 2024 codes on January 6, 2026, keeping Class 4 asphalt shingles and a Class A fire rating for unincorporated areas. Berthoud's 2026 roofing regulations and Johnstown's 2024 code amendment also require Class 4 asphalt shingles. Milliken's re-roof guide, dated January 2026, does too, and says a repair covering more than half the roof means replacing the whole roof with Class 4 shingles. If you're in one of these places, your roofer's bid should list a Class 4 product. Larimer County, Berthoud, Johnstown, Town of Milliken re-roof guide

2025

December 2025: Denver's 2025 building code takes effect

Denver's 2025 Building Code, based on the 2024 International Residential and Building Codes with Denver amendments, took effect December 31, 2025, after the city adopted it on June 13, 2025. It replaces the 2022 Denver Building and Fire Code, in effect since May 1, 2023. Permit applications submitted between June 13 and December 31, 2025 could still use the 2022 code. We have not yet confirmed what, if anything, changed for residential reroofs, so ask the permit office about ice barrier and tear-off rules. Denver ordinance CB25-0735, Denver building and fire codes, 2022 code adoption

December 2025: Winds over 100 mph along the Front Range

On December 17, 2025, the National Weather Service reported gusts of 109 mph near Marshall in Boulder County, 102 mph at Rocky Flats and 91 mph in south Boulder. Xcel cut power in five counties to reduce wildfire risk. Wind can lift and crease shingles even when nothing looks missing, so check for loose tabs after events like this. Colorado Sun

November 2025: No impact-resistant shingle earns "Excellent"

IBHS tested 24 impact-resistant shingle products, covering about 95% of that market, using lab-made hailstones. Most rated Good, and none rated Excellent. This is why a Class 4 label alone doesn't tell you how a shingle will hold up. IBHS

July 2025: The state wildfire code is adopted

The Wildfire Resiliency Code Board established the 2025 Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code on July 1, 2025. It sets minimum rules for building in mapped wildland-urban interface areas, including Class A roofs, ember-resistant vents and noncombustible gutters. Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control

June 2025: Local governments get more time on the wildfire code

SB25-142, effective June 3, 2025, gave local governments nine months instead of three to adopt the state wildfire code. That set the April 1, 2026 adoption deadline. It also let the state help with inspections where a local government lacks staff. Legislative Council fiscal note

May 2025: A hail roof grant fee fails, and a wildfire model law passes

HB25-1302 would have added a 1% fee to homeowners policies to fund hail-resistant roof grants and wildfire reinsurance. A Senate committee rejected it 2-6. The same session passed HB25-1182, signed May 28, 2025, on wildfire risk scores (see October 2026). The roof grant idea came back in 2026 as SB26-155, funded by insurers instead. Colorado Sun, HB25-1182

April 2025: The Colorado FAIR Plan opens

The state's insurer of last resort began offering residential homeowners policies on April 10, 2025. It pays actual cash value, meaning depreciation comes off the payout, and limits homeowners coverage to $750,000 for dwelling and contents combined. You generally need three declinations from standard insurers to qualify. Don't assume hail is covered. The state's real estate division lists windstorm and hail among the plan's perils, but United Policyholders and a review of the policy form describe wind and hail as optional coverage you have to add. Check that it's on your declarations page. Colorado Division of Insurance, Division of Real Estate, United Policyholders, FC&S policy analysis

March 2025: Boulder County requires Class 4

Unincorporated Boulder County began requiring Class 4 (UL 2218) asphalt shingles on permits submitted on or after March 31, 2025, with a modification available for small repairs. This applies to the county, not the City of Boulder. Boulder County

January 2025: New rules for how insurers estimate rebuild costs

From January 1, 2025, Colorado law lists what insurers must consider when estimating what it costs to rebuild your home. The list includes labor, materials, contractor overhead and profit, debris removal, permits and roof type. Under the same 2023 law, insurers must also offer law-and-ordinance coverage of at least 20% of the dwelling limit, which can pay for code-required upgrades like a Class 4 or Class A roof. Ask your agent whether you have it. C.R.S. 10-4-110.8

2024

September 2024: An insurer leaves Colorado

The Colorado Sun reported that American National was dropping Colorado homeowners policies and exiting the state, with at least one customer learning of it in September 2024. The Division of Insurance said no other insurer had left, but tighter underwriting had left pockets, such as Evergreen and Conifer, where coverage is hard to find. Colorado Sun

May 2024: Baseball-size hail in Denver

On the night of May 30, 2024, storms dropped hail up to baseball size in northeast Denver and 1.5 to 2.25 inches elsewhere in the metro. The National Weather Service said damage would likely exceed $1 billion, and CPR later reported nearly $2 billion citing NOAA. Ten days earlier, hail had hit Yuma, Wray and Akron on the plains. After both storms, the Division of Insurance warned that a percentage wind/hail deductible can mean no payment, and urged caution with door-to-door contractors. NWS Boulder, CPR News, Division of Insurance, eastern plains advisory

May 2024: New rules for insurance checks held by your lender

If your mortgage company is named on a claim check, HB24-1011 now sets its timelines. After you submit a repair plan, the servicer has 30 days to approve or reject it. The first payment is due within 14 days of receiving the money on federally backed or Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans, and within 30 days on others. Funds it holds must earn interest for you. HB24-1011

May 2024: Grand jury indicts in a Pueblo hail-repair case

The Attorney General's office announced a statewide grand jury indictment of two people tied to a Pueblo roofing company. Prosecutors alleged they took insurance payments for roof and home repairs after a spring 2021 hailstorm, did no work and gave no refunds. The estimated loss was about $51,000, and several older residents were among the victims. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty. Under Colorado law, a roofer must hold your payments in trust until materials arrive or most of the work is done. Colorado Attorney General

April 2024: 2023 hail drove a reroofing surge in the Pikes Peak region

The Pikes Peak Regional Building Department issued more than 17,000 reroof permits in 2023, up 179% from 2022, mostly in the second half of the year. Briargate had the heaviest concentration. In 2024 the department still issued 16,139 reroof permits, down only 9%. A surge like this stretches roofers and inspectors, so expect longer waits after a big storm. KKTV, CPR News

January 2024: Estes Park's building code adds a Class 4 rule

Estes Park's local amendments to the 2021 codes took effect January 1, 2024. Its amendment to the International Building Code requires Class 4 asphalt shingles, with exceptions when no Class 4 shingle matches an existing roof and for repairs. We have not confirmed whether the town's residential code has the same rule for houses, so ask the building division. Town of Estes Park, amendment text

2023

Summer 2023: A record hail year

Colorado Climate Center data showed 796 reports of hail 1 inch or larger in 2023, beating the old record of 561. Reports of 2-inch hail nearly doubled the previous high, and 3-inch reports tripled it. NOAA counted two 2023 billion-dollar severe weather events in which Colorado hail was a major part: May 10-12 and June 21-26. Colorado Sun, NOAA NCEI

May 2023: Three laws reshape insurance and wildfire building

On May 12, 2023, the governor signed HB23-1174, HB23-1288 and SB23-166. HB23-1174 targets underinsurance: it requires 60 days' notice before a nonrenewal and raises the law-and-ordinance coverage insurers must offer from 10% to 20%. HB23-1288 created the FAIR Plan, and SB23-166 created the board that wrote the wildfire code. Their effects on homeowners arrived in 2025 and 2026. HB23-1174, FAIR Plan history, Wildfire Resiliency Code Board

What hasn't changed

Some things people expect to change have stayed put. As of October 2026, Colorado still has no statewide roofing contractor license, so licensing stays with your city or county. The roofing contract law, C.R.S. 6-22, still gives you 72 hours to cancel after signing and bans roofers from paying or waiving your deductible. No Colorado law requires insurers to discount Class 4 roofs; discounts are up to each insurer, so ask yours. See hiring a roofer and the claim FAQ.

Common questions

Does Colorado require Class 4 shingles statewide?

No. As of October 2026 there is no statewide Class 4 rule. Some cities and counties require it through their building codes, including Fort Collins, unincorporated Larimer and Boulder counties, Johnstown, Berthoud and Milliken. Check with your building department.

When can I get a Strengthen Colorado Homes roof grant?

Not yet. SB26-155 was signed in June 2026, but the board still has to be seated and set up the program. Grants are expected no earlier than 2027.

Does the Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code apply when I replace my roof?

It can. In mapped wildfire hazard areas where the code applies, replacing the roof covering, or 25% or more of the roof, generally means the new roof must meet the code's roof rules, starting with a Class A rating. Your local building department applies it.

Is the Colorado FAIR Plan replacement-cost coverage?

No. The FAIR Plan pays actual cash value, not replacement cost, with homeowners limits up to $750,000 for dwelling and contents combined. It is meant as a last resort after standard insurers decline you. Wind and hail coverage is reported to be optional, so check that your policy includes it.

Has Colorado created a statewide roofing contractor license?

No. As of October 2026, roofer licensing is still handled by cities and counties. The state roofing contract law, C.R.S. 6-22, still applies to residential jobs over $1,000.