More info on Fountain Please (Colorado Springs, Canon City: 2010, city hall, crime rate)

[americanamomma]

I just found out from previous posts about Fountain. Can someone tell me more about this town? Is it an actual town or suburb of COS? It looks like I will most likely get a job at Ft Carson. I heard the commute is only 10-15 min? What is the commute to COS? What amenities does Fountain have to offer? How is the crime rate? The schools seem to have good parent reviews. Are the schools good? Are the people friendly to "outsiders"? Do you have a good view of the mountains? thanks for any info in advance.

[otowi]

Fountain is an actual town, yes, but it is also basically a suburb of Colorado Springs. Its downtown is tiny and it is so close to the Springs that if you wanted to, say, see a movie, you'd drive to the Springs. But if you never wanted to go to the Springs you could survive only living, working, eating, shopping in Fountain. The commute depends on where you live in Fountain - but I'd say it is closer to 5-10 minutes for most to get on base. To Colorado Springs, again it depends on where you're going in Colorado Springs. It only takes 5-10 minutes to get into the Springs, but if you want to go somewhere on the north end of the Springs, it might take 30 minutes to get there. The schools are decent, people are very friendly. This town does not have that small town isolationism because it has long been full of military, etc., and is very accepting of people from all over and new people all the time. It has a good view of the mountains, just a tad bit farther away from those who may live in west or central areas of Colorado Springs. But, living in Fountain, you are literally only 6 miles from Cheyenne Mountain State Park as the crow flies. The crime rate in Fountain is good. There is not a lot of "bad" crime - occasional burglaries or drug things going on, but it is basically a safe place, as is most of the whole county.

[SheridanL]

It's pretty much "Southern Colorado Springs"..IMO.
My sis and bro-in-law live there and, so do my neices and nephews.
I can address an envelope to Fountain OR Colorado Springs.
They (my neice and nephew) went to Mesa High School. Great school!!
If you live around the I25 exit that is Fountain/Ft Carson,.....it wouldn't take even 10 minutes!
Back in the day,...my relatives would cut thru Ft Carson to 115 (this is the western part of Ft Carson) and would come into Canon City (where I live).
Since 911, it's no longer allowed unless one is working there.
I have never ever heard of ANY negative things going on in their neighborhood! They do live very close to Mesa HS.
My neice and her husband bought a home 1 year ago, 1 block away from their parents! Same model house too!!!
I would definitely check out the SOUTH most part of Fountain. It's nice!
As far as mountain views,........same-o same-o as COS!! BEAUTIFUL!!!

[froggin4colorado]

I am a Fountain resident. We are an actual town, in fact we were named the millenium city in 2000. We also consider ourselves a burb of COS. It does only take about 10 minutes or so to get on base. So the commute is an easy one. Commute to COS is maybe 10-15 minutes too. Fountain doesn't have a lot of amenities really. There is a YMCA but its located out of the Lorraine Center and isn't anything compared to the others up in Springs. There is a privately owned pool in Security, next Ftn. Fountain city hall has a water fountain to play in during the summer months. We have a great park- Fountain Creek Reginal Park off Hwy. 85/87. For shopping we have a Walmart, Safeway, Lowes, Ross, Walgreens, Dominoes, and other fast food resturants. Our businesses are all on Hwy 85/87 with the exception of Safeway and Lowes which is off Fountain Mesa Blvd. The crime rate for Fountain is low and I know several residents who still don't lock up their vehicles or houses. For the most part, crime in Colorado Springs isn't bad. The school district in Fountain serves both Fountain and Fort Carson. The district has diversity in all areas. There is one high school and two middle schools (one on Fort Carson and one in Fountain). There are four elementary schools in Fountain. The newest school, Eagleside, is only two years old. The district paid for it in full a couple years ago. Additionally, it built a new a admin building at the same time. Our other new schools are on Fort Carson- Patriot, Carson Middle, and Mountainside Elementary. The district is funded well and even with budget cuts this coming year, the district has enough money set aside to keep running as normal. Fountain just passed a mill levy which will kick in after about a year. The district is growing but strives for a small community atmosphere. The district attempts to take care and retain its employees in a variety of ways like giving Xmas bonuses. It pays its guest teachers (subs) well $90 a day and after 10 days, $110 a day. The district is also one of 4 districts who bring in a licensed BACB to help work teachers, paras, and students who have been diagnosed on the autism scale. I could go on and on, but will stop. Please feel free to email me if you more questions about the district. I have worked or volunteered in just about every district here in the area.
Everyone in the Fountain area is an outsider- grin. Several are active military and come in and go and come back again. We are also butted up to the mountains like the rest of town. Actually, Fort Carson comes in between us and the mountains. Unfortunately, most of Fountain, like COS has track housing with small yards so your view is limited to other people's homes and not the mountains. Mountain views come with a price. With that being said, you can still find a home where you get a view of the mountains from your upstairs window, the back porch, etc.
If you want a newer home, you will look for a home in the following neighborhoods: Heritage, Countryside, Cross Creek, High Gate, Cheyenne Ridge, and Cumberland Green. There are homes that were built in the 90s called Wild Oak Farms. Another older area built in the 70s called La Mesa Fontana. I would stay completely clear of the homes on the south end of Fountain that also butt up next to I-25. There is also Comanche Village which hosts modular homes.
Fountain has three fire stations and its own police department in addition to its own government. It hosts a variety of town events like parades, get togethers at the parks and downtown.
Geez, I think that is it.

[americanamomma]

Wow, sounds wonderful. We are coming in end of Aug to check out COS. We will definately check out Fountain as well. My husband and I are from a small town in MI, but with the economy there is no way we can go back.

[treedonkey]

Fountain is to the southern end of COS what Monument is to the north. Pretty much a bedroom community for the larger city. So, like a previous person said, you can get pretty much all of the necessities (groceries, gas, hardware, restaurants, and various specialty shops) right there in Fountain but you'll probably find yourself driving up to Springs fairly regularly for additional stores and services. This is not really a bad thing, because, for me, going to Springs is often like taking a fun little mini roadtrip to run errands, but I'm always glad to get back home again.

One benefit that Fountain has over Monument or another bedroom community to the north or the west of COS is that the elevation is a tad lower which means, on average, warmer, milder weather, especially in the winter.

[jplmr]

My husband is Active Duty and we just did our PCS to here in March. I was very worried and unsure of the area when we first arrived here. After only 2 months I can say that my family and I really enjoy Fountain. Sometime people can be rude but misery loves company but I dont entertain that. The libarary and school system are great. We bought a newer house in the Fountain Ridge area. Our commute to Carson is about 7 mins. I work on the North side of Carson by gate 3 and it takes me about 15 mins from the time I leave my house to get to the other side of base. Sometimes this can be longer depending on the time of day, traffic on base can get very congested. My husbands unit is on the south side of base close to gate 20 (that is the gate that is closest to Fountain), it only takes him maybe 10 mins. I decided to put my son in the Boys & Girls Club for before and after school care. It is much cheaper than on base and closer to our house. This also gives him an opportunity to visit with his friends from school rather than kids that live on base that he dont know. My 2 year old enjoyed running thru the fountain at city hall to cool off on a hot day. There are plenty of little parks around Fountain for children to play in. It really is a nice town with friendly people! If you wanna chat and have any questions for a fellow military member just PM me!

[americanamomma]

thank you for all the great info jplmr. I'm an LPN and have worked on both Army and Air Force bases, but it looks like the Army has more job openings right now anyways. We are Air Force and my husband is retiring in Dec 2010. We plan on being wherever we decide to retire summer 2010 though. We are visiting the COS/Fountain area end of Aug to check them out. It sounds like we will LOVE it there. I have a 5 yr old son and it would be nice to have someone for him to play with. I will definately let you know if we decide to make Fountain home! Thanks you so much again!

[jplmr]

There are 3 major military bases right here in the area. Finding a job for a retiree and spouse shouldnt be a problem. Fountain is quite friendly to the military. I have been welcomed by so many people. Once you say we are new and military they will take you by the hand and have a chat with you and give you great recomendations! I have so many places and so many things to do just from the friendly people. Im sure you will love it here. It may not be love at first sight (sure wasnt for us lol) but after giving it a chance you will exhale

[SheridanL]

I can't imagine why it wouldn't be love at first sight unless,... you don't like mountain views as far as the eye can see and,.....everything that you need to survive within your fingertips and within miles of where you live!!!!!!!!
I would try to stick in the southern end of Fountain near the Fountain/FtCarson exit. ABSOLUTELY nothing wrong at all with that part of town!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It also is within minutes of COS!!! Same-0 Same-0 as far as I'm concerned!! Really...no difference!!