MortarDesk
Colorado has created a hail-resistant roof grant program, but homeowners should not subtract an unawarded grant from a roofing quote. The program is the Strengthen Colorado Homes Enterprise, established within the Division of Insurance by SB26-155. The law was signed June 4, 2026, and took effect August 12, 2026. It funds resilient-roof retrofits, rather than promising every homeowner a free replacement roof. Colorado General Assembly
For anyone planning a purchase as of October 29, 2026, the key distinction is between an enacted program and an approved homeowner award. In July, Insurance Commissioner Michael Conway said 2027 was the earliest expected grant start. That forecast is not an application opening date. The Colorado Sun, July 18, 2026
What is established—and what needs confirmation
| Question | Established information | What to verify before committing |
|---|---|---|
| How much might a homeowner receive? | Conway discussed grants around $7,500–$10,000 in July; these were estimates, not published award limits. | Final award cap, eligible costs and homeowner contribution. |
| Who gets priority? | The law prioritizes applicants’ primary residences and requires consideration of income, roof age, home size, applicant numbers, local hail-resistant codes and extreme-weather exposure. | Final eligibility, geographic targeting and selection rules. |
| What roof qualifies? | The board must establish resilient-roof standards and contractor-training standards. | Accepted products, assembly details, certification and inspection requirements. |
| When does funding begin? | Collection of the insurer fee begins in calendar year 2027. | Homeowner application dates and whether approval must precede construction. |
The eligibility and funding provisions come from the enacted bill summary; the possible award range comes from Conway’s July interview. At least 85% of fee revenue must go toward homeowner retrofit grants, but that allocation does not guarantee an individual award.
Do not confuse board applications with homeowner grant applications. The Division of Insurance’s June announcement invited qualified people to serve on the enterprise’s governing board—not homeowners seeking roof funding. Check subsequent program notices from the Division of Insurance before submitting personal information or paying anyone to “reserve” a grant.
A Class 4 label is not a complete roof specification
A roofing quote should identify the exact product, test standard and installed assembly, not merely say “hail-resistant.” Nor should it assume that buying a Class 4 shingle automatically satisfies Colorado’s grant requirements.
IBHS’s voluntary FORTIFIED Roof program illustrates the difference between a roof covering and a resilient roof system. It addresses roof-deck attachment, deck sealing and stronger roof edges as well as tested coverings. Its optional Hail Supplement has material-specific requirements:
| Roof covering | FORTIFIED Hail Supplement covering requirement described by IBHS |
|---|---|
| Asphalt shingles | Good or Excellent on the IBHS Hail Impact-Resistant Shingle Ratings |
| Metal panels | UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating |
| Tile | FM 4473 Class 4 impact rating |
| Low-slope systems | UL 2218 Class 4 impact rating |
These are IBHS requirements, not confirmation that Colorado has adopted those specifications for its grants. FORTIFIED is also not metal-only: asphalt shingles and tile can be used. A basic FORTIFIED Roof designation and its optional Hail Supplement are distinct.
For the limits behind impact labels, see “hail-proof” versus hail-resistant roofs.
Compare bids without counting an unawarded grant
Ask contractors to separate the standard replacement cost from the resilience upgrade. Both alternatives should show the same measured roof area, tear-off scope, deck-repair allowance, flashing work and permit costs. Express coverage in square feet and roofing squares: one roofing square equals 100 square feet. A home’s floor area is not a substitute for measured roof area.
Hypothetical comparison: suppose a standard replacement quote is $18,000, and a comparable resilient-system quote is $22,000. The upgrade difference is $4,000. Until an award specifies which costs it will cover, budget against the $22,000 contract, not $22,000 minus a rumored $10,000 grant.
Before signing, obtain written confirmation from the appropriate party:
- Contractor: exact covering model, impact rating, proposed resilience standard and scope for deck fastening, sealing, edge details and inspections.
- Grant administrator: eligible costs, required approvals and whether work started before grant approval can qualify.
- Insurer: available discount, required documentation and policy conditions.
The law requires future insurer reporting on resilient-roof discounts; it does not establish one universal discount percentage. It also prohibits contractors receiving grant money from waiving the homeowner’s insurance deductible. Keep the grant, insurance claim and deductible as separate items in the project paperwork. Colorado General Assembly