GF Blue logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Hailstorm Damages 125 Colo. City Vehicles

So far, 125 vehicles in the City of Lakewood, Colo., fleet have been found with damage from the hail, including windshield, window, and body damage, and this number may increase.

Roselynne Reyes
Roselynne ReyesSenior Editor
May 24, 2017
Hailstorm Damages 125 Colo. City Vehicles

Photo courtesy of City of Lakewood

2 min to read


Photo courtesy of City of Lakewood

At least 125 vehicles belonging to the City of Lakewood, Colo., were damaged by a hailstorm that hit earlier this month. Lakewood Fleet Manager Nina Hoffert, CAFM, said the city is still assessing the damage but repairs may take upwards of a year.

The storm hit on May 8 and, according to The Denver Post, it is the most costly hailstorm in the state’s history. An estimated $1.4 billion in damage was incurred across the Denver metropolitan area and, since the storm hit in the middle of the afternoon, many vehicles were damaged while on the road in early rush-hour traffic.

Ad Loading...

Hoffert said hail is nothing new for the city — the fleet faced similar damage in a 2009 hailstorm — but agreed that timing made a big difference, as many fleet vehicles were still on the road instead of parked in storage.

So far, 125 vehicles have been found with damage from the hail, including windshield, window, and body damage, and this number may increase. Additional damage to fleet vehicles includes lens covers and light bulbs on police cars and snow plows.

In the aftermath, the city has been hard at work assessing damage and deciding what work to prioritize. Hoffert said the fleet was able to replace 40 windshields in four days, but estimates repairs to take upwards of a year due to glass and body work being sent out.

“Since we do outsource it, we use the same vendors as everyone else,” she said.

More Maintenance

A collage of fleet maintenance images.
Maintenanceby Nichole OsinskiJuly 1, 2026

Reducing Long-Term Maintenance Costs and Downtime

Downtime is rarely caused by a single surprise failure but rather by an issue that builds over time through setbacks ranging from deferred maintenance to poor replacement planning. So what's the fix?

Read More →
Promotional graphic for a Utilimarc guide titled Beyond Utilization Rates: How Data-Driven Fleets Are Rethinking Vehicle Replacement, featuring a report cover with fleet vehicles, key benefits, and a call-to-action to download the guide.
SponsoredJuly 1, 2026

Beyond Utilization Rates: Smarter Fleet Replacement Decisions

Vehicle replacement decisions affect every aspect of fleet performance, from operating costs to asset availability. This guide explores how fleet leaders use integrated data, benchmarking, and lifecycle analytics to determine the right fleet size and optimize replacement timing with greater confidence.

Read More →
GovCast podcast graphic.
MaintenanceJune 29, 2026

The Future of Government Fleet Technicians with Mike Cleary

Insight on preparing for hybrid and electric vehicle service, what fleets need to know about recruiting technicians in a competitive market, and how to make the most of limited training budgets.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Graphic featuring the headline "Predict Failures Before Breakdowns" over a warehouse background with a vehicle maintenance work order on a clipboard, illustrating the role of maintenance data in preventing fleet downtime.
Maintenanceby Lauren FletcherJune 22, 2026

Work Orders Are More Than Records. They're a Roadmap to Fleet Availability

What if your work orders could predict failures, uncover hidden costs, and boost fleet availability? Here's how leading fleets are using the data.

Read More →
White cargo van driving on a paved road with trees and greenery in the background.
MaintenanceJune 1, 2026

Drive More Profit with Greater Fleet Uptime

Fleet downtime costs money. JASPER helps keep vehicles on the road with quality remanufactured components, fast nationwide delivery, and reliable solutions that boost uptime and profitability.

Read More →
Cover of a whitepaper titled “The Hidden Costs of Departmentally Assigned Vehicles on Your Fleet” featuring a black fleet vehicle driving on a road at sunset. Subheadline reads: “Discover how your fleet can reduce costs and minimize risk by implementing vehicle sharing.” The document focuses on fleet optimization, vehicle sharing, cost reduction, utilization tracking, and risk management for fleet operations.
SponsoredMay 13, 2026

The Fleet Efficiency Gap: Where Budgets, Utilization & Risk Collide

Departmentally assigned vehicles often create hidden costs through underutilization, poor visibility, and increased administrative burden. This whitepaper explores how shared motor pool strategies help fleets reduce costs, improve accountability, and optimize vehicle utilization.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
zonar system image
SponsoredMay 1, 2026

How Public Fleets Earn Public Trust and Operate Under Scrutiny

Taxpayers judge public services by what they can see. Learn how state and local government fleets are using data and transparency to demonstrate reliability, strengthen accountability, and build public confidence in every mile driven.

Read More →
Government Fleet graphic with copy 'spring forward' and auto shop.
MaintenanceApril 17, 2026

Smart Seasonal Maintenance Tips for Government Fleets

Government fleets carry extra weight, and routes, schedules, and public trust depend on reliability. A systematic spring checklist keeps vehicles in service when agencies need them most.

Read More →
new BendPak lift for low clearance garages.
MaintenanceApril 1, 2026

BendPak Debuts 12APF Two-Post Lift for Tall Vehicles in Low-Ceiling Shops

New 12,000-lb. open-top lift designed for commercial vans, trucks, SUVs, and fleet vehicles

Read More →
Ad Loading...
freightliner whitepaper
SponsoredMarch 26, 2026

Reducing Risk and Improving Safety in Public Sector Fleets with Advanced Driver-Assist Technology

Public sector fleets face increasing pressure to improve safety, reduce liability, and operate efficiently. See how advanced vehicle technologies are helping agencies protect drivers, the public, and their budgets.

Read More →