PWTM: Fort Carson, Colorado

Editor’s note: This post was updated in October 2020.

One of the most challenging aspects of military spouse life is preparing for an upcoming PCS, or if you get the chance, potentially picking a new duty station. There is a lot of information out there, and it can be almost overwhelming.

We here at Army Wife Network want to take some of the guesswork out of the need-to-knows about duty stations around the globe. Hence, our Post with the Most series. In this particular blog, we will be showcasing information related to Fort Carson, Colorado.

Home of the 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson is located in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Very near to Colorado Springs and not far from Denver, the location offers plenty to see and do year-round. The area is great for people who love the outdoors and hiking, skiing, fishing, and camping, but also offers plenty for families, with free outdoor activities and annual events. The installation is named for the famous Army scout General Christopher “Kit” Carson, who explored much of the western United States in the 1800s.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Fort Carson is home to the following units:

  • 4th Infantry Division
  • 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
  • 440th Civil Affairs Battalion
  • 4th Engineering Battalion
  • 743rd Military Intelligence Battalion
  • 759th Military Police Battalion
  • Army Field Support Battalion—Carson
  • 627th Hospital Center
  • 13th Air Support Operations Squadron
  • 423rd Transportation Company

Surrounding Cities:

  • Fountain (right outside the gate)
  • Colorado Springs (9 miles)
  • Manitou Springs (14 miles)
  • Penrose (29 miles)
  • Pueblo (40 miles)
  • Castle Rock (40 miles)
  • Denver (80 miles)
  • Mesa Verde (366 miles)

 Closest MAJOR City: Colorado Springs (9 miles)

Names of Area Colleges:

 Weather: This area offers all four seasons of the year, but those who have lived there claim you can sometimes experience all four seasons in one day.

“There have been snowstorms that close everything one day, then the next day it’s so warm you are shoveling the drive wearing shorts and boots.” — Angela S.

“It might snow in the morning and the sun is shining by noon.” — Jasmine K.

Time Zone: Mountain Time Zone 

SPECIFIC POST INFORMATION  

To access the post website, click here.

 Map of the Area

Historical Facts/Landmarks: Established in 1942 in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Camp Carson was originally home to the 89th Infantry Division. More than 100,000 American soldiers were trained at the installation. It was the location of more than 9,000 prisoners of war, consisting mostly of Italians and Germans. During the Korean War, the installation was renamed Fort Carson and continued to grow over the coming years. For more on Carson’s history, go here.

HOUSING

On-post housing is managed by Fort Carson Family Homes.

We couldn’t find spouse-approved realty companies in the area, but here are some local realty located in Colorado Springs:

“If you’re looking for a place to buy or rent a home, look in the neighborhoods of Powers, Cragmoore, Holland Park, East Burrow, and Briargate.” — Leslie J.

SCHOOLS

School Liaison Officer            

School Districts:

On-Post Schools

Off-Post Schools:

ON-POST SERVICES

OFF-POST INFORMATION

Health Care:

  • Hospital: UCHealth Memorial Hospital North in Colorado Springs, UCHealth Grandview Hospital in Colorado Springs, and Penrose St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs.
  • Urgent Care: UCHealth Urgent Care in Colorado Springs.
  • General Practitioners: Families can switch to Tricare Standard to receive care from civilian doctors or remain on Tricare Prime and receive care from Peterson Air Force Base and the Air Force Academy. There are many providers offering a variety of health care services, so go here to find a provider that accepts Tricare Standard.
  • Dentist: Find a dentist that is a part of the Tricare Dental Program here.
  • OBGYN: Find a Tricare Standard provider here.

Best place for beauty services:

Shopping/malls: Plenty of shopping is available in Colorado Springs, but if you can’t find it there, Denver is only a short drive. Here are a few favorite spots:

RESTAURANTS

Colorado Springs:

MUST DO

Fort Carson:

Peterson Air Force Base:

Colorado Springs:

Golden:

Divide:

Florissant:

Cripple Creek:

Pueblo:

Canon City:

West Cliff:

Frisco:

Keystone:

Dillon:

Denver:

Mesa Verde:

SOCIAL MEDIA CONNECTIONS

Army Wife Network does not promote or endorse these groups; however, we know they can be helpful in learning about various duty stations, so they are provided for your convenience.

Installation Facebook Page: U.S. Army Fort Carson

Military Spouse Groups:

Buy/Sell/Trade Pages:

Religious services:

 

Print Friendly, PDF & Email
Post with the Most

Post with the Most

Each month, we do a segment that highlights an Army installation. We do this so we can provide you with as much information about a post as possible.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.