Fort Carson | Base Overview & Info (2024)

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.

The 4th Infantry Division will accomplish all assigned missions; defeat any enemy, anytime, anywhere ... and do this under any condition.

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, the 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 what we know today, Fort Carson. And then, in September 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.

4ID HISTORY: On Nov. 17, 1917, the 4th Infantry Division was formed at Camp Greene, North Carolina to begin its long tradition of service to our country. On April 1918, the Ivy Division embarked en route to fight in France. By the time the “Great War” ended Nov. 11, 1918, the Ivy Division served with distinction earning five battle streamers.

The 4th Infantry Division was reactivated on June 1, 1940, at Fort Benning, Georgia, and immediately began training for war. Sent to England in January 1944 for amphibious training prior to D-day, the 4th ID was first ashore, landing at Utah Beach on June 6, 1944. After a successful landing and breakout from Normandy, the 4th Division pushed into France and liberated Paris. The division then moved to Luxembourg where Ivy Soldiers became the first U.S. Soldiers to breach the Siegfried Line and enter Germany. The 4th ID moved north to face the Germans in the bloody Hurtgen Forest and after weeks of brutal combat returned to Luxembourg for action in the Battle of the Bulge. The 4th ID halted the enemy advance in December and attacked into Germany. ​

The Fighting Fourth was again called into action in the Fall of 1966 and was sent to Vietnam.The division was given a large area of the central highlands to control and a base camp was soon established at Pleiku. During the next four years, the 4th ID engaged the enemy in brutal combat. Fighting in dense triple canopy jungle, the heat and monsoons continually tested the division which responded with heroic determination. They eliminated enemy incursions moving from the Ho Chi Minh Trail thru Cambodia and Laos. The division redeployed on Dec. 7, 1970.​

Ivy Soldiers returned to combat in 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and would deploy multiple times during the next sixteen years. After arriving in April 2003, the division established Task Force Iron Horse in Tirkit and in December 2003 the 4th ID along with special operations forces captured Saddam Hussein. 4th ID HQ’s returned in both 2005 and 2007 to command MND-Baghdad and the four brigade combat teams made multiple deployments in support of the war. 4th ID deployed to Iraq again in 2010 and served as command for MND-North. During this deployment Ivy Soldiers witnessed the remarkable turnaround of Iraq and its people while executing “Operation New Dawn”. ​

In May 2009, Soldiers of the 4th BCT deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and became the first Ivy Soldiers to enter the war in Afghanistan since it began in 2001. Since then, Soldiers from every brigade in the Ivy Division have deployed in support of the war in Afghanistan. Ivy soldiers have served with distinction and include three Medal of Honor winners. The 4th Infantry Division deployed for Operation Freedom’s Sentinel from 2018-2019, and the Division Headquarters is currently deployed in Europe in support of Operation Assure, Deter, Reinforce, adding yet another chapter to the legacy and heroic history of the mighty 4th Infantry Division – America’s Best. ​

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).

• 26,530Total Military assigned to post
• 39,222Family Members
• 1,492 Reserve Component Military
• 6,619 Civilians (AAFES, DA, DECA, DOD)
• 951 Contractors

El Paso County has the 3^rd largest Military Veteran (94,738) and Retiree (14,877) Population. More than 57% of Soldiers and Families reside off post.

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

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
• 2nd Stryker 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

Located in the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, Fort Carson is 60 miles South of Denver on I-25, off of exit 135 (to the main gate) or exit 132B (Gate 20). 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 the post, drivers need a valid driver's license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and valid photo ID. For help, contact the Fort Carson Visitor's Center, (719) 524-1896.

Air Transportation: The Colorado Springs Airport is located about 10 miles from post. To coordinate pickup to replacment, contact the Replacement Center, (719) 526-6961.

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

Driving from the Colorado Springs Airport: Follow the Airport road exit until you arrive to Powers Blvd; you'll left (South).This road will turn into Mesa Ridge Parkway which will take you directly to Gate 20 to access Fort Carson.

Driving from Denver International Airport: 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. Take exit 132B, which will bring you to Gate 20 to access Fort Carson.