Living with hail in the Denver metro area is scary and completely unpredictable, for sure. I'm getting a new car next month and will be SO nervous when I'm driving it and the sky threatens rain/hail. Good thing the OP wants to come to Colorado during the snow season!

FWIW I'm not in the Denver metro area. We're due for another big storm today.

Sorry we've hijacked your thread ana.

Hail storms tend to be very small and localized. Of course, if you are one a big one, it can be hell but a mile away could be nothing. In 38 years on the south side of Denver we have had two storms that caused serious damage. Tornadoes are worse because of the bigger area but fortunately we don't see many along the front range. Ever area has its risks.