Fountain Valley Ranch

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.

Written By

Alexandra Sosik

Photography Contributed By

Karl Brewick

Video By

Victoria York