Colorado Roofing Rules: What Homeowners Should Know
Colorado has a short set of laws that protect homeowners on insurance-paid roof jobs, and Fort Collins, CO adds its own permit and shingle rules on top. This page explains them in plain words, with every law and City page listed at the bottom. It's general information to help you ask good questions, not legal advice.
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Short on time? These five points cover most of what a Fort Collins homeowner needs before signing with a roofer.
- A city license, not a state one. Colorado has no statewide roofer license. In Fort Collins, a roofer needs a City contractor license to pull the re-roof permit.
- A signed contract comes first. On insurance-paid work, the roofer owes you a written contract signed by both of you before any work starts (C.R.S. 6-22-103).
- The deductible stays yours. No roofer may pay, waive or rebate any part of it, and Colorado law bars even advertising the offer (C.R.S. 6-22-105).
- Seventy-two hours to cancel. If your insurer denies the roofing claim in whole or in part, you can cancel within 72 hours of the written notice (C.R.S. 6-22-104).
- Class 4 in Fort Collins. Under the City's current building code, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are required when 50% or more of a roof is replaced.
Verifying a Roofer
Colorado has no statewide roofing license; cities and counties set their own requirements. So ask any roofer one simple question: which local license do you hold for my address?
Fort Collins licenses roofers under two classes. The "Roofing" class covers roof coverings on roofs pitched at 2:12 or steeper. "Roofing(+)" adds sheathing repair and replacement on existing roofs, plus flat and low-slope systems. Applicants must pass the ICC G14 roofing contractor exam. The roofers we refer for Fort Collins jobs hold the City license.
We found no public online lookup for these licenses. Ask the roofer for their City license, then call Fort Collins Contractor Licensing at 970-224-6165 to confirm it. Outside the city, ask for the license your town or county requires.
Nobody Can Waive Your Deductible
Under C.R.S. 6-22-105, a roofer may not advertise or promise to pay, waive or rebate all or part of your insurance deductible, so even a flyer making the offer breaks the law. Your insurer then doesn't have to consider that roofer's estimate, and you or the insurer may sue for damages.
The same section bars a roofer from acting as a public adjuster, though under a valid contract it may discuss the repair scope with your insurer. The roofer documents and prices the damage; the claim stays between you and your insurer.
- An offer to absorb your deductible. Called a discount, a rebate or a credit, it's the same offer, and Colorado law bars it.
- A promise to negotiate your claim. A roofer can explain the damage to your insurer but can't act as your public adjuster.
The 72-Hour Rule
On insurance-paid residential roofing, C.R.S. 6-22-103 requires a written contract, signed by you and the roofer before work starts, that includes:
- Scope and materials. What the roofer will do and what goes on your roof.
- Dates and cost. Approximate dates of work and an approximate cost based on the damage known when you sign.
- Contact and coverage. The roofer's address, email and phone, plus their surety and liability insurer.
- Cancel and refund terms. Your right to cancel under 6-22-104, and a statement that the roofer can't pay, waive or rebate your deductible.
It must also state, in bold, that the roofer holds any payment in trust until materials are delivered or most of the work is done. Deposits aren't banned; the law controls where the money sits.
Under C.R.S. 6-22-104, if your insurer sends written notice denying the roofing claim in whole or in part, you have 72 hours from receiving it to cancel:
- Note the day and time the denial notice reached you.
- Send your cancellation in writing within 72 hours. Email, mail and hand delivery all count.
- Within 10 days, the roofer returns your payments or deposits. It may keep pay for work it has already done.
The right doesn't cover a denied supplemental claim for damage that couldn't reasonably have been foreseen.
Insurance Discounts for Stronger Roofs
No Colorado law makes insurers discount a hail-resistant roof; HB25-1182 (2025) covers wildfire mitigation only. Still, many insurers offer a discount for impact-resistant roofing, so ask yours what it offers and what proof it wants before the roof goes on.
SB26-155, signed June 4, 2026, creates Strengthen Colorado Homes in the Division of Insurance to fund grants for resilient roofs. It's still being set up: grants are expected no earlier than 2027, and no amount has been set.
Checking With the City
Fort Collins requires a permit for re-roofing more than 100 square feet, and only a City-licensed roofing contractor can pull it. The City lists an $85 residential roofing permit fee (2026). Under the City's current building code, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are required when 50% or more of a roof is replaced. Call Building Services at 970-416-2740 or Contractor Licensing at 970-224-6165 with questions.
Nearby towns set their own rules:
- Loveland. The City issues permits and requires a City contractor license. A 2022 City policy requires Class 4 shingles when 50% or more of the roof is replaced. Call (970) 962-2505.
- Berthoud. The Town's 2026 roofing rules require Class 4 (UL 2218) asphalt shingles, with a permit at 1 square or more. Call 970-532-2643.
- Laporte. Being unincorporated, it falls to Larimer County Building, which issues permits and licenses roofers. Class 4 is required on replacements and on repairs over 25%. Call (970) 498-7700.
- Wellington, CO and Severance. Each town requires its own contractor license before it issues permits. We found no Class 4 rule in either.
- Greeley. From January 1, 2027, contractors need a City of Greeley license before permits are issued. We found no Class 4 rule.
- Windsor, CO and Timnath. Each town issues its own re-roof permits. We found no town roofer license or Class 4 rule.
- Johnstown, CO. We couldn't confirm the details, so check with the Town of Johnstown before work starts.
Questions About the Law
Does Colorado license roofers?
Not at the state level. Cities and counties set their own rules instead. Fort Collins requires a City contractor license in the Roofing or Roofing(+) class, and Larimer County, Loveland and several nearby towns license roofers too. Confirm any license with the office that issued it.
Can a roofer take a deposit before my insurer approves the claim?
Yes. Colorado law doesn't ban deposits on insurance-paid roofing, but the roofer must hold any payment in trust until materials are delivered or most of the work is done. That promise has to appear in bold on the written contract, so look for it before you pay.
Do I have to use Class 4 shingles in Fort Collins?
If 50% or more of your roof is being replaced, yes. That's the City's current building code. For smaller repairs, your roofer and Building Services (970-416-2740) can tell you what applies. Loveland, Berthoud and unincorporated Larimer County have their own Class 4 rules, so a home outside the city may face a different threshold.
Can my roofer handle the insurance claim for me?
Not entirely. Your roofer can document the damage, price the repair and, under a valid contract, discuss the repair scope with your insurer. Colorado law bars roofers from acting as public adjusters, so the claim itself is settled between you and your insurer.
Where This Comes From
Each source was read on October 1 or 2, 2026. Laws and local rules change, so check the current version before relying on one.
- C.R.S. 6-22-103, written contracts for insurance-paid residential roofing: leg.colorado.gov
- C.R.S. 6-22-104, the 72-hour right to cancel after a claim denial: leg.colorado.gov
- C.R.S. 6-22-105, the deductible ban and public-adjuster limits: leg.colorado.gov
- SB26-155, Strengthen Colorado Homes (signed June 4, 2026): leg.colorado.gov
- HB25-1182 summary, wildfire mitigation discounts: dre.colorado.gov
- Colorado Roofing Association, no statewide roofing license: coloradoroofing.org
- City of Fort Collins Contractor Licensing, Roofing and Roofing(+) classes: fortcollins.gov
- City of Fort Collins Building Permits, re-roof permit, fee and Class 4 rule: fortcollins.gov
- Larimer County Building, roofing handout and contractor licensing: larimer.gov
- City of Loveland, roofing policy BDP-22-01: lovgov.org
- Town of Berthoud, 2026 roofing regulations: berthoud.org
- Town of Wellington, contractor licensing: wellingtoncolorado.gov
- Town of Severance, contractor licensing: townofseverance.org
- City of Greeley, contractor license required from 2027: greeleyco.gov
- Town of Windsor, building permits: windsorgov.com
- Town of Timnath, building permit application: timnath.org
Want This Checked for Your Job?
Rules are easier to follow when someone walks your own roof with you. Request a free inspection and we'll pass it to one independent local roofer who knows the permit, license and shingle rules where you live. You'll get a written estimate, and the decisions stay yours.
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