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Fort Carson, CO

Frequently asked questions

Fort Carson, CO

Fort Carson is a United States Army post located directly south of Colorado Springs in El Paso, Pueblo, Fremont, and Huerfano counties, Colorado, United States. The developed portion of Fort Carson is located near the City of Colorado Springs in El Paso County. The Fort Carson CDP has an area of 17,919 acres (72.515 km2), including 19 acres (0.075 km2) of water.

Fort Carson is the home of the 4th Infantry Division, the 10th Special Forces Group, the 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB), the 440th Civil Affairs Battalion (USAR), the 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), the 4th Engineer Battalion, the 759th Military Police Battalion, the 10th Combat Support Hospital, the 43rd Sustainment Brigade, the Army Field Support Battalion-Fort Carson, the 423rd Transportation Company (USAR) and the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron of the United States Air Force. The post also hosts units of the Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, and the Colorado Army National Guard. Fort Carson was also home to the 5th Infantry Division, known as the Red Devils.

Camp Carson was established in 1942, following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The city of Colorado Springs, Colorado purchased land south of the city and donated it to the War Department. Construction began immediately and the first building, the camp headquarters, was completed on January 31, 1942. Camp Carson was named in honor of the legendary Army scout, General Christopher "Kit" Carson, who explored much of the West in the 1800s.

Camp Carson was designated Fort Carson in 1954. In the 1960s, mechanized units were assigned to the fort and it was expanded to the present 137,000 acres (55,000 ha). Butts Army Air Field at the fort was constructed between 1963 and 1966 with a 4,573-foot (1,394 m) runway for light fixed-wing aircraft (cf. USAF C-130s at the nearby Peterson Air Force Base.)

Throughout its history, Fort Carson has been home to nine divisions. An additional training area, comprising 235,000 acres (95,000 hectares), was purchased in September 1983. Named the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, this training area is located approximately 150 miles (240 km) road miles to the southeast and is used for large force-on-force maneuver training. Comprehensive maneuver and live fire training also occur downrange at Fort Carson.

Fort Carson prioritizes the well-being of its residents, with various health and wellness facilities and initiatives. Denver Health Medical Center in Denver provides a wide range of healthcare services including trauma care and primary care. Select Physical Therapy, with multiple locations across Colorado, Select Physical Therapy offers personalized physical therapy programs tailored to individual needs. Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists provides a variety of physical therapy services, including manual therapy, sports rehabilitation, and orthopedic care. Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center along with orthopedic services, Panorama offers physical therapy programs to aid in recovery from orthopedic injuries and surgeries. Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness Center offers comprehensive physical therapy services, including sports rehabilitation, neurological therapy, and pelvic health therapy. Denver Physical Therapy focuses on manual therapy techniques, exercise therapy, and functional movement training to help patients achieve their rehabilitation goals.
 

Top Sites in Fort Carson, CO: 4th Infantry Division Museum, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex, and Fort Carson Main Exchange.
 

Population: 18,105 (2022). Elevation: 5,814′. Area: 28 mi². Area code: 719. ZIP Codes: 80902 & 80913.

FAQs

What is Fort Carson, CO known for?

On the first day of 1943, Camp Carson opened a POW camp for about 9,000 German, and Italian prisoners. The POWs worked to relieve a manpower shortage in Colorado, farming and canning and generally providing labor, for a low but real wage. Camp Carson became a fort in 1954, expanded its base land considerably in the 1950s and 1960s, and became home to armor units; today Fort Carson is home to the 10th Special Forces Group, 4th Infantry Division, and a large and varied collection of other and tenant units.

What major city is Fort Carson, CO near?

Colorado Springs is the closest major city to Fort Carson. Colorado Springs has about 416,000 people and is in El Paso County, which has a population of about 630,000 people. Other nearby communities include Fountain (26,000) and the Security-Widefield CDP (33,000). It is about 10 miles from downtown Colorado Springs to Fort Carson's main gate; this takes about 17 minutes to commute, but the city covers a large area and travel times can vary significantly. The average commute in El Paso County is about 25 minutes.

What is the cost of living in Fort Carson, CO?

The cost of living in Fort Carson, CO is generally very affordable. The median home value in the area is around $175,000, which is relatively low compared to other parts of the state. Additionally, the cost of utilities and groceries is significantly cheaper than the national average. On top of that, there are many public parks and recreational facilities available for residents to enjoy free of charge. All-in-all, Fort Carson provides an overall pleasant and affordable lifestyle for its residents.

Sources

El Paso County

Wikipedia

Fort Carson Housing

Best Places

Denver Health Medical Center

Select Physical Therapy

Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists

Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center

Apex Physical Therapy & Wellness Center

Denver Physical Therapy

4th Infantry Division Museum

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo 

Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex 

Fort Carson Main Exchange

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