(FOUNTAIN, Colo.) — On Oct. 30, the City of Fountain announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) awarded $1.9 million to the city to clean up the site of Lorraine Elementary School and turn it into usable community resources.
While the City estimates that the actual work and construction will happen in mid-2026, after pre-cleanup and historical review is complete, the mayor of Fountain, Sharon Thompson, and other city leaders formally announced the project on Thursday, Nov. 6.
Lorraine Elementary School was originally built in 1956, with extensions added on through the decades in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. The campus served as a YMCA location, a daycare, and hosted different city departments after it was retired by Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 in the mid-2000s. Like many other structures nationwide, the school was finally vacated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This was the only elementary we had at that time. We had another one by where Aragon is, but this was the elementary that was developed for the kids. So, generations upon generations of kids went to school here, and it’s part of the history and makeup of Fountain,” said City Council member Tamara Estes, who was a student at Lorraine Elementary.
The $1.93 million grant will pay for the removal of hazardous materials from the campus. Pre-cleanup projects, finding an abatement contractor, and final reports with the state will all be handled by Stantec Consulting Services.
As it stands, the Lorraine Elementary School campus will be redeveloped into multi-family affordable housing, small office spaces, a community garden, and a community facility, which all come from previously collected public feedback.
The City of Fountain will also hold a giveaway for the multitude of abandoned desks, chairs, file cabinets, and other items and office supplies on Wednesday, Nov. 12, through Friday, Nov. 14. The city stipulates that no items will be reserved for anyone, and everything is on a first-come, first-served basis. Light and heavy-duty dollies will be provided by the city, but an ID is required for use.
Anyone entering the building will be required to sign a waiver due to the large amount of debris and deteriorating conditions. An official statement from the city ensures there is no risk of exposure to harmful chemicals.
