Fountain

A small city with mighty community pride, Fountain Valley Ranch residents treat their zip code like a badge of honor. “The place has a good small town atmosphere,” says Fountain City Councilman Gordon Rick, whose lived here for nearly 30 years after retiring from the Army. “There’s not a lot of major highways or businesses, and residents likes that. Neighbors also want everyone to feel comfortable in Fountain. One of our cornerstones is to treat everyone with dignity and respect.” Established more than 160 years ago, Fountain’s rural, southern location sits in between Fort Carson Army Base and hundreds of acres of nature at Bluestem Open Space. Neighbors exude patriotism, love the outdoors, and passionately care for their growing city that still feels like a small town. Homes range from $315,000 to $565,000, with prices increasing as you move further east. Ranch homes include up to three bedrooms and one bathroom with square footage capped under 1,000 square feet. Many of these properties were built in the 1950s, with a mix of well-maintained and updated features. Some homes have carports, but street parking is most common. New constructions and Contemporary Craftsmen built after 2015 include up to five bedrooms and three bathrooms across more than 2,500 square feet. These homes sit on very tight lots, but you will have a fenced-in backyard with modest green space and a back porch. Small lots are common among new subdivisions to meet the increased demand for housing; much of Fountain and Colorado Springs were developed before 2000, so developers must continue to push further east to make room for new builds. Students can attend Venetucci Elementary, Watson Junior High and Widefield High Schools; all received an overall B from Niche. Great Schools gave the elementary school and junior high a 4/10 and the high school a 3/10. Venetucci and Watson sit 2 miles apart along the same road, and all three schools are walkable for families in surrounding subdivisions. Additionally, Widefield High ranks within Colorado’s top 40 percent of public high schools for teen athletes. Be aware that The Fountain Valley School sits beside your neighborhood and directly next to Blue Stem Prairie Open Space. This private school serves students in grades 9-12 and offers day and boarding programs. Over 200 species of birds and dozens of mammal species find a home at Bluestem Prairie Open Space; Pronghorns, Black-tailed prairie dogs and Red-tailed hawks account for just a few of the unique species you’ll see here. Located 3 miles from home, bird watchers, hikers and mountain bikers can explore 650 acres of prairie grassland. Drive 2 miles north and arrive at the Widefield Parks and Recreation Center. Outside, athletes can compete on several baseball diamonds, pickleball courts and multi-use fields; you’ll also find playgrounds fit for big kids and toddlers. The brand-new indoor facility opened in the summer of 2023 and includes a gym, pool and basketball courts. The WPR Center also has annual events, like the Fall Fun Day Picnic and Holiday Tree Lighting. Run errands at Big R Stores general store and Walmart Supercenter. Each is about 1 mile from your home along CanAm Highway – Fountain’s main road. Drive an additional mile north and pull into the Ross parking lot, or head 6 miles south and grocery shop at Safeway. These are the only major retailers in Fountain, but this rural city is known for having a modest lifestyle. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, the Citadel Mall is 18 miles north in Colorado Springs – about 40 minutes one-way. However, plenty of local restaurants await back home, like 3 Margaritas. This family-owned-and-operated spot has served customers for over 20 years with classic street tacos and signature entrees on the menu: the Mexican Stir Fry includes sauteed chicken and vegetables covered with cheese and served over rice. New residents continue making Fountain Valley Ranch their home, and few leave. Friendly neighbors who genuinely care about one another and the city they call “home” create a sense of belonging for all who live here – making this community feel more like a family.

Slow country living paired with spacious homes attract residents to Widefield. “Neighborhoods in Fountain give you the most bang for your buck,” says Realtor Melanie Weseman of Citadel Realty LLC. “In Widefield, you can find homes with land that cost a lot less than what most people pay in Colorado Springs.” Widefield’s outskirts location creates a way of life that appeals to people who have what they need and desire little else. Houses range from $350,000 to $525,000, with split-level homes built during the 1960s and 1970s as your most common option. These well-maintained properties include up to five bedrooms and three bathrooms across 2,000 square feet and are often made of brick and siding. Widefield residents care most about maximizing their space inside and outside; many homes sit on a quarter acre. Neighbors take pride in their manicured lawns, often including rock gardens and low-water plantings in their grassy yards. Students can attend Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary, Janitell Junior High and Mesa Ridge High Schools. King received an overall A from Niche, while Janitell and Mesa Ridge got B’s. Meanwhile, Great Schools gave the elementary school a 6/10, the middle school a 5/10 and the high school a 3/10. King Elementary is walkable and specializes in project-based learning, which provides students with opportunities to demonstrate their knowledge in various ways. Additionally, the junior high and high schools sit beside each other. An 18-hole disc golf course joins walking trails stretching across the 50-acre Widefield Community Park. The playground has a zipline, sit-and-spin, and traditional swings, slides, and ladders. Athletes can practice their pitch at the baseball backstop and play pickup games on the basketball court. You’ll also find two recently installed pickleball courts. Drive 2 miles south and arrive at Fountain Mesa Park. Young children love the park’s bright yellow and purple playground, which has a challenge course made of unique climbing structures. Older kids and teens are just a few feet away, perfecting tricks at the skatepark. When you want to take a break from cooking, take a seat at The Local Table, known for serving hearty American meals; the Classic Smash Burger is a consistent favorite among customers and is made with 12 ounces of beef, house pickles, caramelized onions, “shredduce” (shredded lettuce) and bacon. On their way to work, you’ll also find many neighbors stopping in MoGlo Espresso for a morning cup of coffee. This local spot serves seasonal lattes, handmade frappes and smoothies. Big R General Store sits in the same shopping center as MoGlo and The Local Table. This is your closest option department store and is often where neighbors pick up agricultural equipment to maintain their land. Drive 3 miles south and grocery shop from Safeway, or head one mile north and pull into Walmart Supercenter to run errands and pick up groceries at the same time. For more options, follow Highway 85 north into Colorado Springs. A rural suburb where people can afford the home they want that provides the space they need; life is simple in Widefield—and that’s how neighbors like it.

Central Fountain Valley is Fountain’s southernmost community, rich in peace and personal space. Acreage and horse property were the area’s initial draw; however, in 2023, buyers come here to find new constructions cheaper than those in Colorado Springs. “When Fountain was established, the town prioritized diversity in the size of houses and lots throughout the area to ensure there wouldn’t be any housing segregation,” says Fountain City Councilman Gordon Rick. “We have a mix of multi-family and single-family housing. Some homes have acreage often used for farming, grazing cattle and horses.” Fountain was one of several Colorado cities founded in 1859, along with Denver and Golden. At the time, town developers and residents believed it would grow to be the biggest city in the state, with the potential of becoming the state capitol. However, Central Fountain Valley’s longtime residents are grateful that never happened, and while they’re known as some of Colorado’s friendliest residents, they are sad to see their community’s land go. Homes range from $275,000 to $575,000. Townhomes account for properties on the low end, with two bedrooms and three bathrooms spanning 1,300 square feet. These HOA properties were built in the early 2000s, with brick and siding as popular features. Place a rocking chair or two on your front porch and set up your grill in the grassy backyard. Be aware that you will have assigned parking spots instead of a garage. Contemporary Craftsmen include up to five bedrooms and four bathrooms spanning 3,800 square feet. New Constructions sit on tight lots with small, fenced-in yards, whereas homes built in the mid to late 1900s come with acreage and sit along the edge of Central Fountain Valley. Students can attend Jordahl Elementary, Fountain Middle and Fountain-Fort Carson High Schools; all received B’s from Niche. Great Schools gave the elementary school an overall 5/10, the middle school a 2/10 and the high school a 5/10. Jordahl and Fountain-Fort Carson sit beside each other; many families live within walking distance of the schools, and those who carpool will have a convenient commute. Fountain Middle is located 2.5 miles north – less than 10 minutes without traffic. Meanwhile, Students at Fountain-Fort Carson High School have the opportunity to meet people from different states and countries. Niche ranks it as Colorado’s most diverse high school because many teens in military families attend this off-base school. Horse owners like spending time at Metcalfe Park, home to the Fountain Riding and Roping Club. Established in 1969, the club reminds residents of Fountain’s Western roots, hosting lessons, events and competitions. Those who prefer riding on wheels can practice their tricks on the paved bike course at Metcalfe’s skate park. Young children like to swing, slide and climb on the brightly colored playground, which features a giant blue and green rope bridge. Dogs also like to play at the park; pups can run around their fenced-in area while playing fetch or conquering agility obstacles. The Metcalfe Park Market runs from May through September on Saturday mornings, where vendors sell local produce and home goods. Stock your kitchen with groceries from Safeway and pick up supplies for home improvement and landscaping projects at Lowe’s. Both stores are located in Fountain’s main shopping center – 4 miles from your front door. Drive an additional 4 miles to run errands at Walmart Supercenter and Ross. A mix of local and chain restaurants scattered among these big box retailers, but several options, including Western Omelette, are closer to home. With items like the French toast sandwich on the menu, this local spot may be best known for its breakfast, but Western Omelette always stays open for lunch and serves dinner Wednesdays through Fridays. People with various priorities make a home for themselves in Central Fountain Valley, where new constructions are paired with low-price tags and well-maintained homes with acreage. Though many homes here lack the personal space that was once guaranteed, the community still positions itself in Fountain’s rural southern border, allowing families to live a peaceful lifestyle.