Colorado Ballots Begin Arriving: What Fountain Voters Need to Know Ahead of the Midterms
Fountain-area voters are beginning to see ballots arrive in their mailboxes as Colorado prepares for the 2026 General Election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Colorado conducts elections primarily through mail ballots, meaning active, registered voters are automatically sent a ballot ahead of the election. El Paso County says ballots for the 2026 General Election are being mailed beginning Oct. 5.
Once a ballot arrives, voters can complete it at home and return it by mail, place it in an official secure ballot drop box or take it to a Voter Service and Polling Center.
Where Can Fountain Residents Drop Off Their Ballots?
El Paso County has several secure ballot drop boxes in and around Fountain.
The two drop-box locations within Fountain are:
Fountain Creek Regional Park — 2010 Duckwood Road
Fountain Police Department — 222 N. Santa Fe Avenue
Both are listed by El Paso County as secure, 24-hour ballot drop boxes.
Residents who need additional assistance can also visit the Fountain Utilities Department, located at 101 N. Main St., which will serve as a Voter Service and Polling Center beginning Oct. 19. VSPCs allow voters to drop off a completed ballot, vote in person, update their registration or obtain assistance with their ballot.
Voters are not restricted to a particular VSPC and may use any VSPC in El Paso County.
What Is A Midterm Election?
The 2026 election is a midterm election, meaning it takes place in the middle of a four-year presidential term.
Unlike a presidential election, there is no presidential race on the ballot. Instead, voters will decide races for the U.S. House and Senate, state offices and the Colorado General Assembly, along with local offices and ballot measures depending on where they live.
Midterm elections can have a direct effect on government at the federal, state and local levels. Members of Congress are elected during the midterms, while state legislative races determine who will serve in the Colorado House and Senate. Local races and ballot measures can also address issues directly affecting communities.
For Fountain residents, the specific races and measures appearing on a ballot can vary depending on the voter's address and district.
When Does My Ballot Need To Be Returned?
The most important deadline for voters to remember is 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
El Paso County says ballots must be received by the Clerk and Recorder by that deadline. A postmark is not sufficient, so voters who plan to return their ballot through the mail should allow enough time for it to arrive. The county recommends mailing ballots by Oct. 27.
After that point, voters can still return their ballot to an official drop box or Voter Service and Polling Center through 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Voters can also track the status of their ballot through Colorado's BallotTrax system to see when it was mailed, received and processed.
What Should Voters Do When Their Ballot Arrives?
Voters should first make sure the ballot belongs to them and review the instructions included with the ballot before marking it.
The state provides the 2026 Colorado Blue Book for voters to review statewide ballot measures, while El Paso County provides sample ballots and other election information. Reviewing the ballot ahead of time can give voters an opportunity to research candidates and issues before submitting their vote.
For voters who have recently moved, it is also important to make sure their voter registration and mailing address are current. Those who need to update their registration close to Election Day can do so at a Voter Service and Polling Center.
The county's election system provides several ways to participate, whether a voter chooses to complete a ballot at home, return it through a secure drop box or vote in person.
For Fountain residents, the two local drop boxes at Fountain Creek Regional Park and the Fountain Police Department provide convenient options for returning ballots without relying on the mail.
With Election Day approaching, voters have several weeks to review their ballots, research the candidates and measures appearing on them and make a plan to participate in the Nov. 3 election.
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