Updated on Monday, May 19, 2025, at 4:38 p.m.
The National Weather Service in Boulder said at least four tornadoes touched down in Adams, Arapahoe and Elbert counties Sunday afternoon between 1 and 2 p.m., causing damage near the towns of Bennett and Elizabeth.
In Elbert County, at least 19 homes were damaged near Elizabeth. Images from the local fire department showed beams thrown through walls of homes and large chunks of roofs missing. In Adams County, at least 17 structures, including six homes, were lost or damaged, according to the Adams County Sheriff’s Office. There were no reports of deaths or injuries.
“Everything's a total loss,” Bennett resident Mark Faber, who lost his machine shop and multiple race cars he used to compete with at Bandimere Speedway in Morrison, said.
“That building was worth about a quarter million dollars, and it's gone.”
He spent Monday picking up valuables, including trophies from his racing days, that he found scattered in the debris.
“I’m going to try to rebuild the house, and everything else can go to hell,” he said.
Assessors are surveying the damage and expect to release a preliminary report on the strength rating of the tornadoes Monday afternoon or evening. Images show homes stripped down to the studs in some cases, with debris scattered across yards. Power remained off to the area Monday morning as crews continued repairs.
“Normal day until a cloud or big black tornado started coming this way,” Faber said. “It was like solid dirt, about a quarter mile wide. I was standing here, and (it) blew the telephone poles, broke them off.”
“We both went in the house and hid in the back corner,” he said. They had to spend the night in a neighbor’s camper. “Anybody wants to send help, please do so.”
Sunday’s storm also brought hail of various sizes. Most reports were near Buckley Space Force Base, where the National Weather Service measured hail the size of a ping pong ball.
“Colorado has many tornadoes every year,” said National Weather Service meteorologist David Barjenbruch. “On average, we see about 50 of them. Generally, they’re shorter-lived and not as strong as they are in open country. They typically don’t hit heavily populated areas like these did.”
The most comparable tornado in recent Colorado memory was in Highlands Ranch in the summer of 2023. Winds in that event peaked at 105 miles per hour with a tornado rating of EF0-EF1. An estimated 30 structures, including 17 homes, were damaged. That storm was accompanied by tennis ball-sized hail.
The Adams County Government Public Works Department is bringing non-potable water into the area for affected livestock. Anyone seeking assistance should visit the Bennett Recreation Center at 455 S. 1st St.
Editor’s note: This story was updated to include new information about damage and interviews with victims of the storm.
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