June 1, 2026 Tri-Lakes & Black Forest Hail Storm — Monument, Palmer Lake, Black Forest & Falcon Damage Report
Two separate hail cells hit El Paso County on June 1, 2026 — quarter-sized hail through Black Forest and Falcon just after 1 PM, then ping-pong-ball-sized (1.50") hail through Palmer Lake and Monument around 4:30 PM. Verified from NWS Pueblo and NOAA storm reports. Here's where it hit, when, and what to do in the next 48 hours.
Hail this size (1″+) damages asphalt shingles even when nothing looks wrong from the ground. If you're in one of the areas below, get a free roof-level inspection within 7–14 days while the damage is clearly storm-dated.
Where the June 1, 2026 storm hit hardest
| Area | Peak hail | ZIP codes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer Lake | 1.50" (ping-pong ball) | 80133 | Trained NWS storm spotter confirmation — highest-confidence ground-truth measurement in the Tri-Lakes corridor. |
| Monument / Tri-Lakes | 1.50" (ping-pong ball) | 80132, 80133 | Three separate reports in 6 minutes, including a measured 1.50" stone photographed 1 mile NNE of Monument and logged in the NWS Pueblo LSR. |
| Black Forest | 1.00" (quarter) | 80908 | Four confirmed reports along the SW edge of 80908, including an on-duty NWS employee at 1:12 PM. Heavy tree cover hides shingle damage — ground inspections are unreliable here. |
| Falcon corridor | 1.00" (quarter) | 80831 | Trained spotter report 6 miles ESE of Falcon near the Elbert County line — same early-afternoon cell that hit Black Forest. Properties on the east side of 80831 most likely affected. |
| Simla / Elbert County plains | 1.25" (half dollar) | 80835 | Same Tri-Lakes cell tracking SE — acreage properties, barns and outbuildings often overlooked on claims. |
| Greenland / Larkspur (Douglas Co.) | 1.25" (half dollar) | 80118 | Just north of the Palmer Divide — same early cell. |
| Bennett (Eastern Plains, reference) | 2.00" (hen egg) | 80102 | Largest hail recorded in Colorado on June 1, 2026 — included for context; outside Jax Roofing's primary service area. |
What happened
Severe thunderstorms moved across El Paso County in two distinct waves on Monday, June 1, 2026. The first cell tracked through the Black Forest / Falcon corridor between 1:05 and 1:15 PM MDT, dropping quarter-sized (1.00") hail confirmed by NWS Pueblo storm spotters — including one report from an on-duty NWS employee 4 miles SW of Black Forest at 1:12 PM.
The second, larger cell hit the Tri-Lakes corridor about three hours later. Trained spotters in Palmer Lake measured ping-pong-ball-sized hail (1.50") at 4:30 PM MDT. Four minutes later, a Monument resident photographed a measured 1.50" stone one mile north-northeast of town — a report logged in the official NWS Pueblo Local Storm Report (NWUS55 KPUB 020043). Three more reports of 1.00"–1.50" hail followed in a six-minute window across the Monument area.
Quarter-sized hail and larger is the threshold where asphalt-shingle roofs sustain real damage. The granule layer that protects the shingle mat gets knocked loose; the mat underneath bruises. From the ground, the roof looks fine. From the roof, you can count hundreds of soft spots that will fail within 1–3 years — and by then, the storm date is too old to file a clean claim.
If you live in Monument, Palmer Lake, Black Forest, or the Falcon corridor, the safest move this week is a free roof-level inspection while the damage is fresh and clearly dated to June 1.
What to do in the 48 hours after a hail storm
- Step 1
Document everything now
Take date-stamped phone photos of any visible damage — dented gutters, downspouts, window screens, AC fins, vehicles, patio furniture. These ground-level photos timestamp the storm for your claim.
- Step 2
Don't sign anything yet
Out-of-state storm-chasers flood Colorado after every hail event. Don't sign a contract, AOB (assignment of benefits), or 'inspection authorization' with anyone you haven't vetted.
- Step 3
Get a roof-level inspection
Hail damage on shingles is rarely visible from the ground — the asphalt mat under the granules takes the impact. A free roof-level inspection takes 30 minutes and gives you a clear answer.
- Step 4
File the claim with documentation in hand
Don't file blind. We'll meet your adjuster on the roof, share our photo report, and make sure every covered item (roof, gutters, screens, paint, fence) ends up on the scope.
- Step 5
Repair or replace with a Colorado-local contractor
Storm-chasers disappear in October. A local contractor honors the workmanship warranty in 5, 10, 20 years when you need it. We've been Colorado-based since 2018.
Get on our inspection list for the June 1, 2026 storm.
We're prioritizing post-storm inspections in the hardest-hit areas this week. Submit your address and we'll be on your roof within 48–72 hours — no obligation, no high-pressure quote.
We serve every area hit by this storm
Click your city for local damage history, neighborhood-specific roof notes, and recent inspection availability.
Hail damage — homeowner questions
I think my roof might be damaged — what should I do in the next 48 hours?
Take ground-level photos of any visible damage (downspouts, gutters, screens, vehicles), don't sign anything yet, and book a free inspection. We document hits with date-stamped photos so the insurance timeline is on your side.
How long do I have to file a hail claim in Colorado?
Most carriers give you one year from the date of loss, but the practical window is much shorter. Adjusters scrutinize claims filed more than 60–90 days after a storm. The sooner you document, the cleaner the claim.
Will filing a hail claim raise my premiums?
In Colorado, hail is a non-rate-impacting weather claim for most carriers — meaning a single hail claim usually does not raise your individual premium. Statewide rate increases happen regardless of whether you file.
My roof looks fine from the ground. Could it still be damaged?
Yes — and this is the most common mistake we see. Hail bruises the asphalt mat beneath the granules. From the ground it looks fine; from the roof you can see hundreds of soft spots that will fail within 1–3 years. Always get a roof-level inspection after a 1"+ event.
Should I sign with the first roofer who knocks on my door?
No. Storm-chasers from out of state flood Colorado after every major hail event. Verify the contractor is local, licensed, BBB-accredited, and has been in business at least 5 years. Jax Roofing has been Colorado-based since 2018 and is BBB A+ rated.