Roof Replacement FAQ for Fort Collins, CO
Homeowners in Fort Collins, CO tend to ask the same handful of questions before they book an inspection. The answers below cover the City's Class 4 rule, permits, roofer licenses, insurance claims and the Colorado laws that protect you when a roofing job is paid by insurance.
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If your question is about your own roof, the free inspection is the best place to get it answered. These are the general questions we hear most often.
What does this service cost me?
Nothing. You send a request, and we connect you with one independent local roofer who offers a free inspection and a written estimate. You're under no obligation to hire them. This site is a referral service, so it doesn't do roofing work, take payments for roofing or sign roofing contracts with you.
When does Fort Collins require Class 4 shingles?
The trigger is how much of the roof is replaced. Under the City's current building code, Class 4 impact-resistant shingles are required when 50% or more of a roof is replaced. Patch a small area and the rule doesn't apply. Replace half the roof or the whole thing, and the new shingles must carry the Class 4 rating.
Who pulls the permit, and what does it cost?
Re-roofing more than 100 square feet in Fort Collins needs a permit, and only a City-licensed roofing contractor can pull it. The City lists the residential roofing permit fee at $85 (2026). Your roofer files it as part of the job. Building Services can answer address-specific questions at 970-416-2740.
How can I confirm a roofer's license?
There's no statewide roofer license in Colorado. Fort Collins licenses roofers itself, under the classes "Roofing" and "Roofing(+)". We found no public online lookup, so the surest check is a call to Contractor Licensing at 970-224-6165. You can also ask the roofer for their City license number before you sign anything.
Will a roofer handle my insurance claim?
Not the claim itself. A roofer can photograph the damage, measure it and write up a priced scope, and under a valid contract may discuss that scope with your insurer. The claim stays between you and your insurance company. Colorado law also bars roofers from acting as public adjusters.
Is it legal for a roofer to cover my deductible?
No. C.R.S. 6-22-105 says a roofer may not advertise or promise to pay, waive or rebate any part of an insurance deductible. If a roofer does, your insurer may disregard that roofer's estimate. An offer like that is a clear reason to choose someone else.
Can I back out if the claim is denied?
Yes, on insurance-paid jobs. Under C.R.S. 6-22-104, you may cancel within 72 hours after you receive written notice that the insurer denied the roofing claim in whole or in part. Give your notice in writing by email, mail or hand delivery. The roofer refunds payments within 10 days, minus pay for work already done.
Can a roofer ask for a deposit?
Colorado doesn't ban deposits on insurance-paid roofing jobs. Under C.R.S. 6-22-103, the roofer must hold any payment in trust until materials are delivered or most of the work is done, and that promise must appear in bold on the written contract. Read the payment terms closely before you sign.
Are there grants or insurance discounts for hail-resistant roofs?
Colorado's new Strengthen Colorado Homes program (SB26-155, signed June 4, 2026) is still being set up in the Division of Insurance. Grants are expected no earlier than 2027, and no amount has been set. Separately, no state law requires a discount for impact-resistant roofs, but many insurers offer one, so ask yours.
When is the best time to get a roof inspected?
Any time you notice a problem, and soon after a hailstorm. Colorado's damaging hail season runs from mid-April to mid-September, and the state ranks second in the nation for hail claims. An inspection before or after that window gives you a record of the roof's condition.
Didn't See Your Question?
Call (970) 555-0153 or send the form, and a local roofer can answer it during a free inspection.