Fountain
cityFountain, Colorado, located in El Paso County, is a growing city south of Colorado Springs, known for its blend of small-town charm and access to urban amenities. As part of the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Front Range Urban Corridor, Fountain offers beautiful views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding foothills. The city was built in 1859 as a railroad shipping center and incorporated in 1903. Fountain's economy benefits from its proximity to Fort Carson and Colorado Springs, with major employment sectors including military support services, aerospace, technology, healthcare, retail, and education. The city serves as a commercial hub for the greater Fountain Valley area. Fountain is distinctive for its rich history, which includes its origins as a wintering ground for the Ute people, a significant railroad accident in 1888 known as "The Blast", and its selection as "America's Millennium City" by The New York Times in 1999. The city offers a high quality of life with numerous parks, trails, and recreational opportunities, making it an attractive place for families and outdoor enthusiasts.
Fountain, Colorado
- Classification
- Home Rule City
- FIPS Code
- 08-27865
- Country
- United States
- County
- El Paso County
- Region
- Front Range Urban Corridor
- Elevation
- 5,545 ft
- Total Area
- 22.367 sq mi
- Land Area
- 22.342 sq mi
- Water Area
- 0.025 sq mi
- Latitude
- 38.68889
- Longitude
- -104.68278
- Climate
- Moderate temperatures
- Notable Features
- Fountain Creek · Pikes Peak views · Rolling foothills
- Neighboring Areas
- Colorado Springs · Security · Widefield · Fort Carson
- Population (2020)
- 29,802
- Est. Population (2024)
- 29,300
- Median Age
- 31.1
- Median Income
- $86,242
- Poverty Rate
- 10.4%
- Family Households
- 71.8%
- Owner-Occupied
- 72.8%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- 57.2% White, 25.3% Hispanic, 8.1% Black or African American, 2.6% Asian, 6.0% Multiracial, and 0.8% Native American/Other
- Government Type
- Home Rule Municipality
- Governing Body
- City Council
- Body Size
- 7 members
- School District
- Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8
- Municipal Services
- Police · Fire & EMS · Public Works · Parks & Recreation · Utilities · Transit
- Unemployment Rate
- 6.6%
- Economic Profile
- Residential · Suburban · Commercial
- Employment Sectors
- Military · Retail · Healthcare · Aerospace · Technology
- Major Employers
- Fort Carson · Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company · Boeing Missile Defense Systems · Hewlett Packard
- Graduation Rate
- 93%
- School Districts
- Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8
- Transportation
- Interstate 25 · US Highways 85 and 87 · Municipal Bus Service · Bustang intercity bus service
- Utilities
- Municipal Water · Municipal Power · Fiber/Broadband
- Major Facilities
- Pikes Peak International Raceway · Fountain Valley Town Hall
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Fountain Creek Regional Park · Metcalfe Park · Aga Park · Pikes Peak International Raceway
- Parks & Trails
- Fountain Creek Regional Trail · City Park · Parks and Trails system with 440+ acres of parks & open space
- Founded
- 1859
- Incorporated
- 1903
- Named After
- Fountain Creek
- Historical Significance
- Evolved from a railroad shipping center and trading post into a modern city, influenced by agriculture, the railroad, and the military.
- Key Events
- Established as a railroad shipping center · 1888 train explosion · Selected as 'America's Millennium City' in 1999 · Home to Pikes Peak International Raceway