2002 All-America City 

The National Civic League announced that Fountain, Colorado was among 10 cities named All-America Cities for the year 2002.  The All-America City Award, a 53-year-old program of the National Civic League recognizing civic excellence, annually honors 10 communities that best exemplify the spirit of grassroots citizen involvement and cross-sector collaborative problem solving. 

Fountain was recognized in part for three projects that exemplify collaborative problem solving and serve as model for communities across the country.  Fountain's three projects included:

• A comprehensive plan that addressed 50% growth issues,

• The Lorraine Education and Community Center which provides special recreation, education and community services for the families of Fountain,

• And several youth initiatives, including the Fountain-Fort Carson school District education improvements, the Police Activities League (P.A.L.) and D.A.R.E.

The President of the National Civic League, Christopher T. Gates said "These All-America Cities symbolize the backbone of our nation - the ability of citizens, government, businesses and nonprofit organizations to come together, effectively address their local issues and produce tangible results.  The accomplishments of these 10 All-America Cities serve as an inspiration to communities across the United States that are facing similar challenges."

Accepting the award were Mayor Ken Barela and Official Sponsor Patricia St. Louis, Managing Editor of the Fountain Valley News as well and Fountain's delegation to the All-America City.  Mayor Barela later said, "Winning this award was a community-wide effort we can all be proud of.  However, evolving our community into what is being recognized as a national model is what I consider our greatest accomplishment.  Winning this award is the culmination of years of hard work."

Fountain Valley News Editor/sponsor of Fountain's AAC application, Patty St. Louis added, "The people of Fountain should be very proud  Each individual representing our wonderful city gave it 110%.  All were incredible ambassadors-for both the City of Fountain and for the state of Colorado.  Not only are we Pure Colorado (as is indicated on Fountain's logo,) but now we're also 'Pure All-America!'"

The citizens of Fountain celebrated this prestigious award with a Main Street Blast Dance.  Fountain's Downtown Events Committee (FDEC) hosted it's first annual Main Street Blast featuring live music, scenes from the City of Fountain's participation the 2002 All-America City competition and a balloon glow.   

America's Millennium City

In 1999, Fountain was designated by the New York Times as America's Millennium City and featured in the magazine's final issue millennium series which was released in early December 1999.  The issue, "The Times Capsule: A Message to the Year 3000" provides readers with a "vivid slice of American life and culture at the end of the 20th century" as reported by the El Paso County News. 

The article features the items "ordinary people" from the Fountain Valley community selected to place in a times capsule that they thought would best represent the culture of today.  New York Times Washington Bureau writer visited several residents, business leader, Fort Carson soldiers, teenagers, students, senior citizens, school teachers, senior citizens, local government offices, farmers, ranchers, clergy and others in the community to ask what they would place in the times capsule.  

To select Fountain as the Millennium City, Dr. Andrew Beveridge, a sociologist at Queens College in New York researched the most recent estimates made by the Census Bureau seeking from thousands of cities and towns to find the city which had the most similar overall composition as that of our country, including age, income and race.  The result was a list of 26 cities, towns and suburbs ranging from Las Vegas, Nevada to Wild Peach Village, Texas.  Further statistical research, including age distribution, proportion of college graduates, divorced couples and the size of families made the Fountain Valley communities the closest match.  Mr. Bennet indicated that the communities of Fountain, Security, and Widefield had appeal beyond statistics.  

As part of the New York Times exhibit a time capsule and its content are on display at at the New York Times museum.  Included in the display are items from citizens of the Fountain community including a Fountain-Fort Carson High School conduct code, a Beanie baby from Fountain Council member Billy Oneyear, a cell phone, beeper, photographs, a purple heart medal donated by Ralph Nothstine, an MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) from Fort Carson, an Indian ceremonial pipe donated by Fountain businessman Chester Trigg and more.  

(Pictures and Story Courtesy of Fountain Valley News)