Reference
Plain-language definitions for the acronyms and statutes that come up repeatedly in Colorado roofing conversations.
Replacement cost minus depreciation.
On a homeowners insurance claim, an ACV settlement pays the depreciated value of the damaged item. For roofs, that means the carrier subtracts depreciation based on shingle age before paying. The remaining recoverable depreciation is paid only after replacement is completed and invoiced. See our deep dive at /resources/acv-vs-rcv-roof-payment-schedule-colorado.
Pays full cost to replace, less the deductible.
RCV policies pay an initial ACV check, then release recoverable depreciation after the work is completed. The homeowner pays the deductible. RCV is the gold standard for roof claims but is increasingly being replaced by Roof Payment Schedule endorsements at renewal.
An endorsement that depreciates roof payouts on a fixed age curve.
A Roof Payment Schedule (sometimes called a roof age tariff or roof loss settlement endorsement) replaces RCV with a fixed depreciation schedule based on roof age. A 15-year-old roof under an RPS endorsement may pay 40 to 70 percent of replacement cost regardless of material or condition.
Impact-rated shingle, the highest hail-resistance class.
Class 4 shingles pass UL 2218 by withstanding a 2-inch steel ball dropped from 20 feet without cracking the shingle mat. Most Colorado carriers offer a 25 to 28 percent premium discount on the wind/hail portion of the policy for verified Class 4 installations. See /resources/class-4-impact-shingles-deep-dive-colorado.
Colorado law making insurance deductible rebates a felony.
Colorado Revised Statute 18-5-211 prohibits a contractor from paying, waiving, rebating, absorbing, or promising to pay any portion of a homeowner's insurance deductible in connection with a property insurance claim. Violation is a class 1 misdemeanor and a class 5 felony for repeat or organized conduct.
Roofing-contract consumer protections.
Colorado's roofing contract law (originating with SB12-038) requires a written contract, the right to rescind within 72 hours of an insurance denial, prohibits deductible rebates, requires return of deposits if the carrier denies the claim, and requires the contractor to be in good standing. Reputable Colorado roofers comply by default.
Colorado's residential wildfire mitigation grant program.
House Bill 23-1273 created Colorado's Wildfire Resilient Homes Grant Program, administered by the Division of Fire Prevention and Control, providing cost-share grants for defensible space work, ember-resistant retrofits, and Class A roof replacements in mapped Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) areas.
Adopted 2025; sets ignition-resistant construction standards in WUI zones.
The Colorado Wildfire Resiliency Code (effective 2025) aligns new construction and substantial reroof work in mapped WUI zones with NFPA 1144 / IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home standards: Class A roof assemblies, ember-resistant vents, non-combustible 0 to 5-foot zone, and defensible space.
Highest fire-resistance rating for roof coverings.
Defined by ASTM E108 / UL 790, a Class A roof assembly resists severe fire exposure (intermittent flame, spread of flame, burning brand). Most asphalt shingles meet Class A only when installed over compliant decking and underlayment. Required in mapped Colorado WUI zones under CWRC.
Carrier shorthand for roof condition that justifies a denial.
When an adjuster classifies damage as deferred maintenance, they are claiming the loss results from age, wear, or homeowner neglect rather than a covered peril. Deferred maintenance is one of the most common reasons hail and wind claims are partially or fully denied. See /resources/deferred-maintenance-true-cost-colorado.
Self-adhered membrane required at eaves, valleys, and penetrations.
Ice and water shield is a self-sealing rubberized asphalt or butyl underlayment installed at eaves (24 inches past the warm wall under IRC R905.1.2), in valleys, around penetrations, and on roofs at 8 in 12 pitch or steeper. Above 7,000 feet of elevation in Colorado, full-roof coverage is often required.
L-shaped metal that integrates the roof with vertical walls.
Step flashing is the most commonly omitted or improperly reused detail on a budget roof job. Each course of shingles gets its own L-shaped piece woven against the wall and the shingle below. Reusing old step flashing or replacing it with continuous flashing causes nearly all wall-line leaks within five years.
Continuous exhaust vent at the roof peak.
Continuous ridge venting paired with intake (soffit, edge, or smart) vents satisfies IRC R806 attic ventilation requirements and prevents the heat and moisture buildup that shortens shingle life and causes ice dams. Static or turbine vents are inferior and should not be mixed with ridge vent on the same roof plane.
Insurance claim history retained 5 to 7 years.
The Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) is an industry-wide database that records property insurance claims for 5 to 7 years. Carriers consult CLUE at quote and renewal. Frequent or large claims, even if paid, can trigger non-renewal or rate increases.
Industry-standard claims pricing software.
Xactimate is the dominant pricing tool used by carrier adjusters and reputable contractors to scope and price insurance-related repairs. Estimates produced in Xactimate use ZIP-code-specific unit pricing updated monthly. Itemized Xactimate scopes are the standard format for supplements.
An additional line item added to a claim after initial scope.
A supplement is added to an insurance claim when conditions discovered during work (additional decking, code-required upgrades, damaged accessories) exceed the initial adjuster scope. Reputable contractors document supplements with photos and Xactimate line items consistent with the carrier's pricing.
Modern roofing membrane that has replaced 15-pound felt.
Synthetic underlayments (woven polypropylene or polyethylene) are tougher, lighter, and more weather-tolerant than the 15-pound asphalt felt used in older installations. 15-pound felt on a modern Colorado proposal is a value-engineering red flag.
Code-required metal at eaves and rakes.
Drip edge is L-shaped or T-shaped metal installed along eaves and rakes to direct water away from fascia and into gutters. Required by the International Residential Code (IRC R905.2.8.5). A roof installed without drip edge fails inspection and shortens fascia life dramatically.
Wildfire mitigation buffer around a home.
Defensible space is the area around a structure that is managed to slow or stop wildfire. Zone 1 (0 to 5 feet, ember-resistant non-combustible), Zone 2 (5 to 30 feet, lean clean and green), Zone 3 (30 to 100 plus feet, fuel reduction). Required in many Colorado HOAs and aligned with HB23-1273 grants.
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