Fort Carson  In-depth Overview

The 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson builds and maintains combat ready expeditionary forces necessary to fight and win in complex environments as members of a Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational (JIIM) team or as a Mission Command Element (MCE); provides first class support to Soldiers, Airmen, Civilians, and Families; and enable unified action with community, state, and interagency partners to accomplish all assigned missions. Are you READY

The history of Fort Carson began with Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Less than one month later on January 6, 1942, it was announced that Colorado Springs had been selected as the site for an army camp. On February 22, 1942, Colorado Springs newspapers reported that the installation would be named Camp Carson in honor of Brigadier General Christopher "Kit" Carson, the famous frontiersman. Camp Carson continued to grow and on August 27, 1954, it became Fort Carson. And then, in September of 1983, Fort Carson expanded by acquiring Pinon Canyon. To learn more about Fort Carson, visit the 4th Infantry Division Museum located outside of the main gate on highway 115 or call 719.524.0915.

Fort Carson Population Data - 57% of the Soldiers and Family Members live off post (Black Forest, Colorado Springs, Fountain, Manitou Springs, Monument, Pueblo, Security, Widefield)

• 25,547 Total Military assigned to post
• 31,122 Family Members
• 1,410 Reserve Component Military
• 5,711 Civilians (AAFES, DA, DECA, DoD)
• 67 Contractors

El Paso County has the 3^rd largest DoD Retiree Population in the U.S., more than 98,000 Veterans call El Paso County home. More than 57% of Soldiers and Families reside off post.

Military installations in El Paso County include Fort Carson, Peterson Air Force Base, Schriever Air Force Base, United States Air Force Academy, and NORAD. Buckley Air Force Base is located in Denver.

More than 57% of the Fort Carson population live off the installation. El Paso County has a total population of 720,403.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2019 Population Estimates

Fort Carson is home to the 4^th Infantry Division. Population served includes:

• 4^th Infantry Division
• 1^st Space Brigade
• 1^st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4ID
• 2^nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4ID
• 3^rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4ID
• 4^th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4ID
• 4^th Division Artillery, 4ID
• 4^th Engineer Battalion
• 4^th Sustainment Brigade, 4ID
• 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade
• 10^th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• 13^th Air Support Operations Squadron
• 71^st Ordnance Group
• 627^th Hospital Center
• 759^th Military Police Battalion
• Army Field Support Battalion Carson
• Dental Health Activity
• Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4ID
• U.S Army Garrison Fort Carson
• Medical Department Activity
• World Class Athlete Program

One of the Army's youngest installations, Fort Carson, the Mountain Post, is a proud Army post located on the southwest side of Colorado Springs, Colorado, between Interstate 25 and Highway 115 in El Paso county. Fort Carson is one of the premier locations to lead, train, and maintain while preparing soldiers to win on the battlefield. The area provides some of the most beautiful scenery and outdoor recreational opportunities in America. For base information, call 719.526.5811 or DSN 312.691.5811.

Located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Carson is 60 miles South of Denver on I-25, off of exit 135. It's nestled in the extreme southwest corner of Colorado Springs, at the base of Cheyenne Mountain. Government ID cardholders have numerous options when accessing Fort Carson. Non-ID cardholders are required to enter through the main gate, located off of Highway 115, and require a visitor's pass prior to entry. To access Fort Carson, drivers need a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and valid photographic identification. For details, call 719.524.1896 or 526.2333.

Air Transportation: The Colorado Springs Airport is located about 10 miles from post. Military transportation is available 24/7; call 800.279.1151 or 719.526.6961.

Commercial Bus Transportation: The Greyhound bus terminal is located on 120 S. Weber Street. For assistance, call 719.635.1505.

Taxi Service: Various local taxi companies offer pickup and drop off to post. An example of a fare cost from Fort Carson to the downtown area is $35 to $45.

Directions from Colorado Springs Airport to Fort Carson: Follow the Airport road exit until you arrive at Powers Blvd; make a left turn. This road will turn into Mesa Ridge Parkway.  Following this road will take you directly to Gate 20 to access Fort Carson.

Directions from Denver International Airport to Fort Carson: Follow the Airport road exit onto Pena Blvd until you arrive at I-70; go west to Colorado Springs. Follow I-70 until you arrive at I-225; go south to Colorado Springs.  I-225 will take you to I-25; go south to Colorado Springs, about 60 miles.  Exit at 132 B; this will take you directly to Gate 20 to access Fort Carson.

The main gate to access Fort Carson is on Highway 115. If you are traveling from Denver, take I-25 South to Colorado Springs. You'll use exit 135 to Academy Blvd and then exit onto Highway 115 South.  If you are traveling from Pueblo, take I-25 North to Colorado Springs. You'll use exit 135 to Academy Blvd and then exit onto Highway 115 South. The Visitor's Center located at the main gate can provide specific guidance.

Post shuttle routes include service to Banana, Cantonment, Soldier Support, Butts, and Butts Express. Shuttles run from 8 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. weekends; Butts Express does not run on weekends. Shuttles run similar to a city bus, passengers stand at the designated shuttle stops for pick up. Shuttle service does not operate on federal holidays. Services available to Soldiers, DOD personnel and Family Members. If you need assistance or have been waiting for more than 15 minutes for a shuttle, contact the shuttle dispatch at (719) 524-RIDE (7433).

Up-to-date post information and unit contact information is available by calling 719.526.5811.