NOTE: Tours of Front Range Power Plant are unavailable from Sept. 13, 2024 to Nov. 22, 2024.

Front Range Power Plant

Facility information

The Front Range Power Plant is located south of Fountain in El Paso County and uses natural gas to generate electricity.

The plant began operation in 2003 and has a maximum generating capacity of 460 megawatts (MW), which is produced by two combustion turbines and a steam turbine. This plant has the largest generating capacity of any plant on our grid.

The two combustion turbines generate 135 MW each and the steam turbine can generate 190 MW to make up the full 460 MW generating capacity.

Colorado Springs Utilities acquired full ownership of the facility in December 2010.

Aerial image of Front Range Power Plant. It features two smokestacks, which are not very prominent. There are overhead lines and substation equipment next to the plant and a vast array of industrial equipment next to the stacks. The surrounding landscape is brown grass.Facility tours

Our facility tours are an outstanding way to learn how we generate electricity and the impressive infrastructure required to supply power to our community.

Tours are tailored to fit the specific needs of a school or organization and are free of charge.

  • Age requirement: 5th grade or 10 years & up
  • Group size: Maximum 20 attendees
  • Tour length: One to two hours, depending upon age group and specific needs
  • Day offered: Tuesday
  • Start time: Between 9 and 10 a.m. or 1 and 2 p.m.

Tour participants are required to wear appropriate clothes, which include long pants (no dresses or skirts), closed-toed walking shoes and clothing/accessories for expected weather.

Due to safety concerns, visitors with inappropriate dress will not be able to tour the entire operational facility. We provide additional safety equipment, when required, to tour a facility (i.e. hard hats, safety glasses, ear protection)

Our tour policy

Tour registration form