When Hail Hits: Science, Technology, and the Growing Cost of Extreme Weather in Colorado

Colorado is one of the most hail-prone states in the country — and as storms intensify and losses mount, the gap between what we can detect, what we can predict, and what we can afford to insure is widening. This panel brings together atmospheric scientists, technology innovators, and state policy leaders to examine hail from every angle: how we monitor and detect it, how data and sensing technology are transforming our understanding, and what escalating hail damage means for insurance markets, homeowners, businesses, and the broader Colorado economy. With climate change driving more frequent and severe convective storms across the Front Range, hail is no longer just a nuisance — it's a systemic risk with real implications for infrastructure, agriculture, energy assets, and financial markets. Panelists will explore the cutting edge of hail detection and monitoring technology, the data gaps that still exist, and what state and local governments, insurers, and communities can do to get ahead of the problem. This is a conversation that sits at the intersection of climate science, advanced technology, and real-world financial risk — and one that Colorado can and should be leading. Speakers: Moderator: Sam Malloy, InnosphereKristen Rasmussen, CSU Scott Mackaro, Vaisala