Fountain CO Criminal Defense Attorney

Small-town main street on the plains south of Colorado Springs

Charged With a Crime in Fountain
Fountain Municipal Court
The Fountain Police Department
Municipal Court or El Paso County Court
How a Fountain Municipal Case Moves
Traffic Tickets in Fountain
State Charges From Fountain
Missed Court Dates and Warrants
Service Members With a Fountain Case
Working With a Fountain Criminal Defense Attorney
Frequently Asked Questions
Sources

Charged With a Crime in Fountain

Fountain is its own city in El Paso County, with its own police department and its own municipal court. That means a ticket or arrest in Fountain can go to one of two very different places: Fountain Municipal Court on Main Street, or El Paso County Court in downtown Colorado Springs.

Which court you are in decides who prosecutes you, what penalties apply, and how the case is handled. The City of Fountain itself warns that its officers write citations into both courts, so the paperwork you were given matters more than anything else.

This page covers the Fountain court, the police department, how a Fountain case moves forward, and what changes when the charge is a state crime instead of a city ordinance violation.

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Fountain Municipal Court

Fountain Municipal Court moved on June 1, 2026. It now sits across the street from City Hall in the historic First National Bank building.

Location	Suite 110, 101 N. Main Street, Fountain, CO 80817
Clerk's office hours	Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., except federal and local holidays
Phone	719-382-5561
Email	[email protected]
Mailing address for payments	116 S. Main Street, Fountain, CO 80817 (payable to Fountain Municipal Court)

Court appearances and in-person payments are at the new suite at 101 North Main Street. If older paperwork lists a different location, call the clerk to confirm where to go.

What the Court Hears

The court handles violations of the Fountain Municipal Code and city ordinances, including traffic and criminal violations. It does not handle restraining orders, divorce, small claims, or similar matters. The city directs those to the El Paso County Combined Courts.

Court Days

Session	When	What is heard
Regular court, morning	Mondays at 9:00 a.m.	Arraignments, animal cases, municipal code cases, accident cases, juvenile cases, certain traffic cases, and bond appearances
Regular court, afternoon	Mondays at 1:00 p.m.	Code abatements, certain municipal code hearings, and trials
Traffic court	Tuesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.	Traffic cases

The clerk's office is closed on federal and local holidays. If your date falls on or near a holiday, call the clerk to confirm.

The Fountain Police Department

Fountain has its own police department, which patrols inside city limits. The department is at 222 North Santa Fe Avenue, Fountain, CO 80817.

The department's records section handles requests for police reports, body-worn camera footage, and photos. Requests for camera footage go through the department's request form and require a valid government-issued ID. Crash reports are available through CrashDocs.org.

In a defense case, though, the evidence usually comes through discovery from the prosecutor. A lawyer typically requests the reports, video, and witness information directly once the case is filed.

Outside City Limits

The Sheriff's Office patrols unincorporated El Paso County, and its patrol districts include Security and Widefield. If the stop or arrest happened outside Fountain city limits, the officer was more likely a deputy or a Colorado State Patrol trooper. Those are state cases with no Fountain municipal court involvement, and our Security-Widefield page covers that area.

Municipal Court or El Paso County Court

The same conduct can sometimes be charged either as a Fountain ordinance violation or as a state crime. The officer, and later the prosecutor, makes that choice. Your summons shows the result.

Type of case	Court	Address
Fountain city code, traffic, or criminal ordinance charge	Fountain Municipal Court	Suite 110, 101 N. Main Street, Fountain
State misdemeanor or state traffic charge, including DUI	El Paso County Court	270 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs
Felony	El Paso County District Court	270 S. Tejon Street, Colorado Springs

How to Tell From Your Summons

Look at the court address. 101 N. Main Street means Fountain. 270 S. Tejon Street means El Paso County.
Look at the charge citation. A Colorado Revised Statute number means a state charge. A Fountain code section means a municipal charge.
Check the day. Fountain sets most court dates on Mondays and traffic court on Tuesdays.

How a Fountain Municipal Case Moves

Arraignment. Most municipal cases start at the Monday 9:00 a.m. session. The judge advises you of the charge and your rights.
The city's offer. The City Prosecutor offers plea agreements and point reductions. The offer is available on your court date after 9:00 a.m., and you can accept it or continue the case for further proceedings.
Pretrial and discovery. If you do not accept the offer, the case moves toward trial and the defense gets the evidence.
Trial. Trials are set on the Monday afternoon docket.
Sentencing. If there is a conviction, the judge sentences within the limits of the Fountain code and state law.

Accepting the offer on the first day can be the right choice in some cases, but not every case. A plea to a criminal ordinance charge creates a record, and a traffic plea adds points. Get advice before you sign.

Continuances

The court grants one continuance. You must request it in person at the court office, Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at least two weeks before the court date. A lawyer requests a continuance by filing the proper paperwork with the court.

Juveniles

Defendants under 18 must appear with a parent or guardian. A parent with identification can continue a juvenile's case without the juvenile present. See our juvenile defense page.

Jury Trials

State law gives municipal defendants a short window to request a jury. Under C.R.S. 13-10-114, the request must be in writing within 21 days after entering a plea.

A $25 jury fee also applies under that statute, and the judge can waive it if you cannot afford it. Missing the deadline means a trial to the judge.

Penalty Limits

State law caps what any municipal court of record can impose. Under C.R.S. 13-10-113, the outer limit is 364 days in jail and a fine that is adjusted for inflation each year.

The statute also says the judge cannot exceed the sentence or fine limits set by the city's own ordinances. Our municipal court page explains how these limits work.

Traffic Tickets in Fountain

Many Fountain cases are traffic tickets heard on Tuesdays. Some payable tickets can be paid before the court date, but two groups cannot: juveniles and anyone involved in an accident. They cannot pay online before court and must appear in person.

Ways to Pay

Online through the city's payment portal, with a service fee
Drop box behind City Hall by the entrance (no cash)
By mail with a check or money order to Fountain Municipal Court
In person at 101 N. Main Street

Phone payments are currently unavailable, and a returned check costs $45.00.

No Proof of Insurance

For a no-insurance charge, bring proof to your court date. The court wants a copy of the card or policy in effect on the date of the citation, plus your agent's name and phone number, and it verifies the coverage.

Before You Pay

Paying a ticket is a conviction, and the points go to the Division of Motor Vehicles. Points from municipal court count the same as points from county court. If you hold a commercial license, are under 21, or are close to a suspension, talk to a lawyer first. See our traffic ticket page and how many points are on my Colorado license.

The court also warns of scam texts. The court itself does send text reminders that can include payment links. If you get a notice about a case you do not recognize, call the court at 719-382-5561 to confirm it.

State Charges From Fountain

When a Fountain officer charges a state crime, the case leaves Fountain entirely. It is filed in El Paso County Court, or District Court for a felony, at the El Paso County Judicial Building in Colorado Springs. The prosecutor is the 4th Judicial District Attorney's Office, not the City Prosecutor.

The City of Fountain lists DUIs among the matters handled by the El Paso County Combined Courts. A DUI arrest in Fountain also starts a separate license case with the Division of Motor Vehicles, and the deadline to request a hearing is generally 7 days. See our DUI page and DMV hearing page.

If You Were Taken to Jail

People arrested on state charges are generally booked into the El Paso County Jail, at the Criminal Justice Center on East Las Vegas Street in Colorado Springs. The first appearance usually happens by video from the jail. Our El Paso County page explains the advisement schedule and how bond is posted.

Domestic violence, assault, and felony cases from Fountain are state cases. See our domestic violence and assault pages.

Missed Court Dates and Warrants

Fountain Municipal Court issues bench warrants when someone fails to appear or fails to comply with court orders or conditions. A $100 warrant fee applies when a judge issues a bench warrant. The court must also notify the Colorado Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Division, which can affect your license.

In some cases, a person can clear a Fountain warrant by appearing at the clerk's office. Whether that is the right move depends on the case and whether there are warrants from other courts. See our warrants page.

Service Members With a Fountain Case

Fountain Municipal Court has its own procedure for military members. If you are deploying, in the field, in training, or under permanent change of station orders, call the court at 719-382-5561 or go to Fountain City Hall, second floor. Bring proof of your orders or a memo explaining why you cannot attend.

That procedure only addresses scheduling. A civilian charge can still require reporting to your command, and a DUI apprehension can lead to suspension of on-base driving privileges under federal installation rules. Handle the civilian case with that in mind.

Working With a Fountain Criminal Defense Attorney

Attorney Michael W. Moran has been licensed to practice law in Colorado since 1995 and is a former municipal court judge. He represents people in Fountain Municipal Court and in El Paso County Court and District Court. Other attorneys he works with assist when a case needs it.

The office is in Colorado Springs, not Fountain. A lawyer can often enter an appearance before your arraignment, review the city's offer, request the evidence, and protect the jury deadline. No lawyer can promise a particular result, but you will get a clear explanation of your options.

Criminal Defense Colorado Springs, P.C. offers free, confidential consultations.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Fountain Municipal Court now?

Since June 1, 2026, the court has been at Suite 110, 101 N. Main Street, Fountain, CO 80817, across the street from City Hall. The clerk's phone number is 719-382-5561.

What day is court in Fountain?

Regular municipal court is held on Mondays, with arraignments and most hearings in the morning and trials in the afternoon. Traffic court is on Tuesday mornings.

Is a DUI in Fountain heard in Fountain Municipal Court?

The City of Fountain lists DUIs among the cases handled by the El Paso County Combined Courts at 270 S. Tejon Street. Check your summons to confirm the court and date.

Can I reschedule my Fountain court date?

The court grants one continuance. Request it in person at least two weeks before your court date, or have your lawyer file the paperwork.

Can I pay my Fountain ticket online?

Many tickets can be paid through the city's online portal for a service fee. Juveniles and anyone involved in an accident must appear in person instead.

What happens if I miss court in Fountain?

The judge can issue a bench warrant, which carries a $100 fee, and the court notifies the Motor Vehicle Division. Contact the court or a lawyer right away.

I was stopped just outside Fountain. Which court is it?

Stops outside city limits are usually made by Sheriff's deputies or state troopers. Those are state cases in El Paso County Court, not Fountain Municipal Court.

Author

Michael W. Moran

Criminal Defense Attorney

Colorado Bar # 26337

Michael W. Moran has been licensed to practice law in Colorado since October 1995 and is a former municipal court judge. His practice focuses on criminal defense, including DUI and DUID, domestic violence, drug charges, juvenile cases, traffic offenses, and probation violations. He represents clients in El Paso, Teller, Pueblo, and Fremont counties. He earned his law degree from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law and is a member of the Colorado Bar Association, the El Paso County Bar Association, and the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He is a member of the National College for DUI Defense and is rated Excellent on Avvo.