Black Forest
roofing services.
Black Forest is a tight-knit rural community defined by its ponderosa pine forest and the legacy of the 2013 wildfire that destroyed 486 homes, killed two residents, and burned over 14,000 acres. Many residents rebuilt and chose to stay, demonstrating the deep attachment to the land and lifestyle that characterizes this community.
Roofing in Black Forest, Colorado
At 7,200 feet — approximately 1,200 feet higher than downtown Colorado Springs, placing Black Forest on the Palmer Divide where weather patterns are distinctly more severe elevation, Black Forest presents unique challenges for residential roofing. Black Forest is a tight-knit rural community defined by its ponderosa pine forest and the legacy of the 2013 wildfire that destroyed 486 homes, killed two residents, and burned over 14,000 acres. Many residents rebuilt and chose to stay, demonstrating the deep attachment to the land and lifestyle that characterizes this community. Others are newcomers drawn to the acreage, privacy, and natural beauty that no suburban development can replicate. The community maintains a volunteer fire department and takes fire mitigation seriously — community fire mitigation days, defensible space education, and neighbor-to-neighbor coordination are part of the culture. The Black Forest Community Club, established decades ago, hosts events and maintains community connections. Horse culture is prominent — many properties have barns, pastures, and riding trails. The Black Forest Arts and Crafts Guild holds one of the largest annual craft fairs in El Paso County. Unlike suburban developments where homes are defined by their floor plan and community amenities, Black Forest homes are defined by their land — the trees, the terrain, the wildlife, and the privacy. This is a community of people who choose to maintain their own driveways, manage their own fire mitigation, and live with the trade-offs of rural life in exchange for space and independence. That character extends to how residents approach home maintenance: they tend to be informed, detail-oriented, and willing to invest in quality materials that protect the properties they have worked hard to build and maintain.
Fire risk is the defining concern for Black Forest roofing — the legacy of the 2013 fire that destroyed 486 homes means Class A fire-rated materials are not just recommended but essential for responsible homeownership in this community. Dense ponderosa pine coverage creates constant maintenance demands: pine needles accumulate in roof valleys, behind chimneys, around skylights, and in gutters, trapping moisture against the roof surface and accelerating shingle deterioration. Pine sap drips onto roofing materials and bonds to shingle surfaces, creating dark stains and potentially compromising granule adhesion over time. Falling branches during storms — both hail and wind events — cause direct impact damage that may not be visible from the ground. Wildlife is a legitimate roofing concern in Black Forest: woodpeckers drill through fascia boards, soffits, and even shingle edges searching for insects in the wood substrate beneath; squirrels chew on lead flashing and rubber pipe boots. At 7,200 feet, snow loads are heavier than in lower-elevation areas — Black Forest typically receives 15-20% more annual snowfall than downtown Colorado Springs. The dense tree canopy creates uneven snow drifting on roofs, with north-facing slopes and tree-sheltered faces accumulating significantly more snow than exposed sections of the same roof, creating uneven loading that stresses framing. Ice damming is more common here due to the combination of heavy snow, cold temperatures, and the insulating effect of pine canopy overhead. Many properties are accessed via unpaved or gravel roads and long driveways, which can complicate material delivery — particularly during spring mud season or after heavy snowfall. The large lot sizes and custom construction mean no standardized approach works; each project requires individual assessment of access, roof complexity, tree proximity, and fire-zone considerations.
Storm Patterns & Hail History
Black Forest sits on the Palmer Divide at 7,200 feet, where the elevated terrain acts as a trigger for convective storms that can be significantly more intense than what lower-elevation areas experience just miles to the south. During the summer of 2018, a Palmer Divide supercell dropped 3-inch hail on the Black Forest area, part of the broader El Paso County storm season that generated over $340 million in combined insured losses from the June 13 and August 6, 2018 events. The June 13, 2018 nocturnal hailstorm produced baseball-sized hail (3 inches) and $169 million in insured losses across the county, while the August 6, 2018 storm added $172.8 million more. Black Forest's dense ponderosa pine canopy can reduce hail velocity on impact for homes deep within the forest, but homes on ridgelines, clearings, or properties where defensible space has been created around structures have full exposure to falling hail. The June 2023 severe weather outbreak impacted over 44,000 properties across El Paso County and triggered a federal disaster declaration — the Monument-Black Forest-Falcon corridor was among the hardest-hit zones. But fire, not hail, defines Black Forest's storm history. The June 11-13, 2013 Black Forest Fire burned 14,280 acres, destroyed 486 homes, damaged 28 others, killed two residents, and was the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history at the time. The fire started near the intersection of Shoup and Herring Roads and spread rapidly through the dense ponderosa pine forest driven by low humidity and gusty winds. Over 38,000 residents were evacuated. The community's relationship with building materials, defensible space, and fire preparedness was permanently changed by that event.
7,200 feet — approximately 1,200 feet higher than downtown Colorado Springs, placing Black Forest on the Palmer Divide where weather patterns are distinctly more severe
April – September
Shingle granule loss, dented flashing, cracked tiles
3–5 significant events/year
Housing & Roofing in Black Forest
Black Forest housing is unlike anything else in the Colorado Springs metro. Nearly every home sits on a lot of 2.5 to 5-plus acres, heavily wooded with ponderosa pine, scrub oak, and native grasses. There are no tract developments, no identical floor plans repeated down a street, and no urban density. Original 1970s and 1980s homesteads include log-cabin-style construction, cedar-sided ranches, and A-frame designs that reflect the era's back-to-the-land aesthetic — many of these homes have complex, multi-level rooflines with dormers, shed additions, and covered porches that were added over decades. Cathedral Pines features larger custom homes on heavily wooded five-acre parcels, many with circular driveways, detached garages, and metal outbuildings for horses or equipment. The Pineries offers a mix of custom homes from the 1980s through 2000s with a community park and more defined road layout than the surrounding area. Along Black Forest Road and Shoup Road, the older rural character persists with ranch-style homes, some with original wood shake roofs that have been replaced with composite or architectural shingles. Post-2013 fire rebuilds — 486 homes were destroyed — introduced modern mountain contemporary designs with clean lines, metal accents, and fire-resistant materials throughout, creating a visible contrast between the new construction and surviving older homes on adjacent properties. Many properties include detached barns, workshops, or horse facilities with their own roofing needs. The combination of large lots, dense tree coverage, unpaved driveways, and custom construction means every Black Forest roofing project requires individual site assessment rather than a standardized approach. With a median home value of Approximately $550,000 and homes typically dating from Mix of 1970s-1980s original homesteads and 2000s-2010s custom builds, with a significant number of rebuilds following the 2013 Black Forest Fire — some of the newest and most modern homes in the area sit on foundations that held 30-year-old structures before the fire, understanding your roof's age and condition is essential for long-term protection.
Black Forest is unincorporated El Paso County — there is no municipal government, no city building department, and no city services. Building permits are required through the El Paso County building department for all re-roof projects. Post-2013 fire, there are enhanced fire mitigation requirements for new construction and major renovations, which can include specifications for roofing materials, defensible space clearance around structures, and vegetation management near rooflines. Properties that were rebuilt after the fire were constructed under updated building codes with stricter fire-resistance requirements. There are no HOAs in most of Black Forest — homeowners have complete flexibility in material and color choices, which is consistent with the community's independent, rural character. The Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District — a volunteer-based department — serves the area and is actively involved in community fire mitigation education. Lewis-Palmer School District 38 serves most of Black Forest, and District 49 covers the eastern portions.
Neighborhoods We Serve in Black Forest
Our Services in Black Forest
Hail Damage Repair
Expert hail damage assessment, insurance documentation, and complete roof restoration for Colorado Springs properties.
Insurance Claims Assistance
Full-service insurance claim support from initial filing through final payment, maximizing your settlement.
Storm Damage Repair
Emergency storm damage repair for wind, hail, and severe weather damage to roofs across the Pikes Peak region.
Roof Replacement
Complete roof replacement with premium materials and manufacturer-backed warranties.
Roof Repair
Professional roof repairs for leaks, missing shingles, flashing issues, and general wear.
Residential Roofing
Full-service residential roofing for Colorado Springs homes, from inspections to installations.
Gutters
Gutter installation, repair, and replacement to protect your home from Colorado's heavy rainfall.
Emergency Roof Tarping
24-hour emergency tarping to prevent further damage after storms. Fast response across Colorado Springs.
Free Roof Inspections
Complimentary roof inspections with honest damage assessment and photo documentation.
Serving Black Forest & Surrounding Areas
20 minutes northeast of our Colorado Springs office — we serve Black Forest and surrounding El Paso County communities.
Get a Free Roof Inspection in Black Forest
Black Forest Roofing Questions
Significantly. Pine needles accumulate in valleys, behind chimneys, around skylights, and in gutters — trapping moisture against the roof surface and accelerating shingle deterioration. Pine sap drips onto roofing materials and bonds to shingle surfaces, potentially compromising granule adhesion. Falling branches during storms cause direct impact damage. Woodpeckers drill through fascia and soffits seeking insects. Regular clearing — at minimum twice per year — and annual professional inspections are essential for Black Forest homes. We recommend clearing pine debris in late spring before hail season and again in fall after the primary needle drop.
Class A fire-rated materials are strongly recommended throughout Black Forest and are required for new construction and major renovations under post-2013 fire building codes. The 2013 Black Forest Fire destroyed 486 homes and burned over 14,000 acres — it was the most destructive wildfire in Colorado history at the time. Standard asphalt architectural shingles meet Class A fire-rating requirements. For homeowners seeking additional protection, metal roofing and composite materials offer even higher fire resistance. We can advise on the specific requirements for your property based on its location within the fire district.
Yes, and it is more than a cosmetic issue. Woodpeckers drill through fascia boards, soffits, and even shingle edges looking for insects in the wood substrate beneath. The holes they create allow moisture intrusion, which leads to rot, mold, and further insect infestation — creating a cycle that worsens over time. In heavily wooded areas like Black Forest, woodpecker damage is a legitimate and recurring maintenance concern. We repair woodpecker damage and can recommend deterrent strategies including metal flashing over vulnerable areas and visual deterrents.
The 486 homes that were rebuilt after the 2013 fire used modern fire-resistant materials, met updated building codes, and incorporated defensible space principles into their designs. For the homes that survived, many homeowners subsequently upgraded to Class A fire-rated materials during their next re-roof. Building codes for new construction and major renovations were strengthened. The community as a whole is far more conscious of building material fire ratings, vegetation management near rooflines, and overall fire preparedness than it was before June 2013. The fire fundamentally changed how Black Forest thinks about building materials.
Yes. Black Forest at 7,200 feet receives approximately 15-20% more annual snowfall than downtown Colorado Springs at 6,035 feet. The dense ponderosa pine canopy creates uneven snow drifts on roofs — north-facing slopes and tree-sheltered faces accumulate significantly more snow than exposed sections of the same roof, creating uneven loading that stresses framing. Proper attic ventilation is critical to prevent ice damming, which occurs when heat escaping through the roof melts snow from underneath, and the meltwater refreezes at the eaves. We recommend monitoring snow accumulation on north-facing slopes where it persists longest and ensuring adequate ventilation during every re-roof project.
Yes. Many Black Forest properties are accessed via unpaved or gravel roads with long driveways — this is normal for the area and we plan accordingly. We coordinate material deliveries to ensure our trucks and equipment can reach the job site safely. During spring mud season or after heavy snowfall, we may need to schedule deliveries during drier conditions for properties with steep or soft-surface driveways. We communicate proactively about access logistics so there are no surprises on delivery day.
Neglecting pine needle buildup. It is easy to overlook because it accumulates gradually, but pine needles trapped in valleys and behind chimneys hold moisture against the roof surface for extended periods, accelerating shingle deterioration far beyond what UV and weather exposure alone would cause. Many Black Forest homeowners who maintain everything else about their property underestimate how much damage pine debris does to a roof over 5-10 years. Regular clearing — twice annually at minimum — is the single most impactful maintenance step you can take to extend your roof's lifespan in Black Forest.
Your Black Forest roof deserves
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