Branch: U.S. Army
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Installation Type: Fort
Status: Active

Overview

Fort Carson was established in 1942 and is located immediately south of Colorado Springs, Colorado, at the base of the Rocky Mountains’ Front Range, approximately 70 miles south of Denver. The installation encompasses approximately 137,000 acres extending into the high desert plains and lower mountain foothills. Known as “The Mountain Post,” Fort Carson is home to the 4th Infantry Division and a number of other significant combat and support units. The installation’s proximity to the Rocky Mountains provides exceptional quality-of-life advantages and outdoor recreation opportunities.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Train and deploy combined arms forces; sustain and support combat-ready soldiers and families; serve as home to the 4th Infantry Division and supporting units.
• Major Units:
• 4th Infantry Division (“Ivy Division”) — the installation’s primary combat division
• 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
• 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal)
• 43rd Sustainment Brigade
• 2nd Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB)
• 4th Combat Aviation Brigade
• Tenant Units:
• Evans Army Community Hospital
• 10th Special Forces Group support elements
• Various Reserve Component units

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Colorado Springs, CO — immediately adjacent (the post is contiguous with the southern city limits); Denver, CO — approximately 70 miles north
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Colorado Springs Airport (COS) — approximately 15 miles northeast; Denver International Airport (DEN) — approximately 80 miles north
• Gate Access: Multiple gates including the main gate on South Academy Boulevard (Gate 1) and Gate 19; 24/7 access for credentialed personnel; visitor access requires a valid government-issued photo ID and visitor passes are issued at the Visitor Control Center; CAC holders use standard lanes; vehicle registration and proof of insurance required; the Colorado Springs area’s traffic can affect gate access times during peak hours

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 25,000-30,000
• Family Members: Approximately 35,000-50,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 8,000-12,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 80,000-100,000 (including retirees and contractors in the Colorado Springs area)

Key Facilities

• Medical: Evans Army Community Hospital (EACH) — a full-service community hospital providing inpatient, outpatient, emergency, and specialty care; located on post; serves Fort Carson’s military community
• Commissary: Yes — Fort Carson Commissary; large, well-stocked facility; one of the better commissaries in the Army system given the installation’s size
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — large AAFES Main Exchange with extensive retail, food court, car care, Class VI, and specialty stores
• Fitness & Recreation: Multiple fitness centers on post; indoor and outdoor pools; Mountain Post Sports Complex; Hole In The Wall Golf Course; Fort Carson Outdoor Recreation (with equipment rentals for mountain activities); bowling center; extensive MWR programs oriented toward mountain and outdoor recreation
• Schools: No DoDEA schools on post — students attend Colorado Springs school districts; Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8 is the primary district serving on-post families and surrounding communities; multiple elementary, middle, and high schools serve the military community
• Childcare: Multiple Child Development Centers on post; high demand with significant wait times common; families should register on the Army Child Care Waiting List as soon as PCS orders are received; Family Child Care (FCC) homes supplement CDC capacity
• Veterinary Services: Fort Carson Veterinary Treatment Facility — provides routine wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, and preventive medicine for eligible beneficiaries’ privately owned animals and military working dogs; appointment required
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Office of the Staff Judge Advocate, Fort Carson — provides legal assistance by appointment; walk-in services for limited matters; contact (719) 526-3807 for current hours

Housing

• On-Post Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities — multiple residential neighborhoods on post; a variety of home sizes for enlisted and officer families; ongoing renovation and modernization efforts
• Average Wait Time: Wait times vary by grade; some grades have minimal wait while others may wait several months; contact Balfour Beatty Communities upon receipt of orders for current wait times
• Off-Post Housing: Colorado Springs communities including Fountain, Security-Widefield, Pueblo (approximately 40 miles south), and various Colorado Springs neighborhoods; average monthly rent ranges from approximately $1,200-$1,600 for a 2-bedroom apartment to $1,700-$2,400 for a 3-4 bedroom home; Colorado Springs has grown significantly in cost but remains more affordable than Denver
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Contact the gaining unit’s S1 to request a sponsor; the 4th Infantry Division and other major units have active sponsorship programs; the Mountain Post Newcomers Guide is available through the installation’s ACS office
• In-Processing: Report to the Soldier Support Center (Building 1525); in-processing typically takes 3-5 business days; unit-level in-processing follows garrison processing
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): EFMP enrollment is managed through Evans Army Community Hospital; contact Fort Carson Army Community Service for EFMP Family Support at (719) 526-4590; Colorado Springs offers a good range of special needs and therapeutic services through both military and civilian providers, and the nearby Denver metro expands options further

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Semi-arid high plains/front range climate with over 300 days of sunshine annually; summers are warm and mild (average highs in the mid- to upper 80s F) with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; winters are variable — generally mild but with occasional significant snowstorms (“up-slope” events); elevation (approximately 5,800-6,000 feet) can affect newcomers initially
• Cost of Living: Moderate relative to national average; Colorado Springs has grown in cost over the past decade due to population growth but remains more affordable than Denver; Colorado has a state income tax
• Nearby Attractions:
• Rocky Mountain National Park — approximately 2.5 hours north; world-class scenery and outdoor recreation
• Pikes Peak (14,115 feet) — directly adjacent to the installation; accessible by cog railway, auto road, or hiking
• Garden of the Gods — within Colorado Springs; stunning red rock formations and free public park
• Spouse Employment: Good job market due to Colorado Springs’ substantial and growing economy; the city has a large military and defense contractor sector, healthcare, technology, and education industries; remote work is popular given the lifestyle appeal of the area

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://home.army.mil/carson
• Main Installation Phone: (719) 526-5811
• MWR Website: https://carson.armymwr.com
• ACS / Army Community Service: Army Community Service, Fort Carson — Building 1526; contact (719) 526-4590 for appointments and information

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: U.S. Army IMCOM, home.army.mil/carson, Evans Army Community Hospital, 4th Infantry Division, Balfour Beatty Communities, Fountain-Fort Carson School District 8, AAFES; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law