Cañon City is the county seat of Fremont County in southern Colorado, with a population of approximately 16,000 people within the city limits, and another 5,000 to 7,000 people within the surrounding area in Fremont County.

The City is located in a mountain bowl along the Arkansas River valley as it flows east from the Rocky Mountains and the mouth of the Royal Gorge. A combination of unique geography and an elevation of 5300 feet above sea level protects the city from harsh weather conditions, making Cañon City “the Climate Capital of Colorado,” with temperatures generally 10 degrees warmer than other nearby Colorado communities.

The Royal Gorge Bridge, owned by the City, is one of the major attractions located near Cañon City. This, along with other nearby natural attractions such as the Arkansas River, the National Forest, and the beauty of the surrounding land, draws numerous tourists to the area year round with a peak during the summer season. Cañon City is one of only a few cities along the Front Range that has predominantly maintained its small town feel. Residents of this third oldest city in the State of Colorado are proud of their history, proud of their setting amongst beautiful natural features, and proud of their community. When asked what makes Cañon City a great place, more often than not, the response is “the people.”

The Mayor, Council, and staff of the City of Cañon City are proud to serve these incredible people and maintain this wonderful community. Comprised of eleven departments, one enterprise, and approximately 160 employees, this home rule municipality works hard to provide the governmental services that will keep this a wonderful place to live, work, play, and visit.