GREENWOOD VILLAGE – The Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association put a cost figure to the May 26 hailstorm in Commerce City.

    The price tag is $70 million, resulting from almost 13,600 auto and homeowners claims. Baseball sized hail and high winds blew through Commerce City, Brighton and other parts of the northeast metropolitan area.

    Carole Walker, the association’s executive director, said the figure was preliminary.

    “This storm is just round one of severe weather season in Colorado,” she said. “We enter into what is really considered the peak hail and tornado months of June and July. It’s much like a tornado siren warning us to take steps to protect ourselves and our personal property.”

    Walker suggested an examination of impact resistant roofing and a consideration of how much insurance to take out on vehicles, home rebuilding and for replacing personal belongings. Call 303-790-0216.