Welcome

Welcome to Fort Carson Fort Carson, "The Mountain Post," is located just south of Colorado Springs at the base of the Rocky Mountains. The unparalleled beauty and mild climate of Colorado Springs make it a gateway to a wide variety of outdoor activities. Many internationally known ski areas and some of the nation's most scenic parks and finest hunting and fishing areas are located within a short drive.

Fort Carson Families have easy access to the many cultural attractions of "The Springs" and the bright lights of nearby Denver. Fort Carson Families have easy access to the many cultural attractions of "The Springs" and the bright lights of nearby Denver.

Fort Carson is one of two installations designated by the Army to achieve "net zero" energy, water and waste by 2020. As part of a net zero installation community, Soldiers, Family members and staff all play a part in conserving water and energy and reducing, reusing and recycling waste to achieve these goals.

Whether you have already arrived to Fort Carson or have just received orders to report here, the information in this publication will help you get settled and take advantage of the on- and off-post services and attractions for your enjoyment.

CLIMAT E AND ALTITU DE
The Colorado Springs area has a mild year-round climate. In January, the coldest month, temperatures average a high of 43 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 23 with a mean of 33 degrees. The area averages 37 inches of snow annually.

August, the warmest month, has an average high of 84 degrees and a low of 61 degrees with a mean of 73 degrees.

Fort Carson's elevation is above 6,000 feet and some newcomers may experience slight fatigue at first. Because of the elevation, new personnel are allowed 30 days to adjust to the altitude and to reach Fort Carson fitness standards.

ENTERING FORT CARSON
Incoming personnel with valid military identification can enter through any gate. Visitors without military identification or an installation pass must enter through Gate 1. In accordance with Department of the Army guidance, Fort Carson no longer requires vehicle decals. All vehicles are subject to search at any of the installation's gates. To enter Fort Carson, you must have a valid driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of current insurance.

For more information, during normal duty hours, call the Vehicle Registration Office at 524-1896.

GETTING HERE
Fort Carson is located 60 miles south of Denver on Interstate 25, Exit 135, South Academy Boulevard, or Exit 140A, Nevada Avenue (State Highway 115). The Colorado Springs Airport is currently served by eight airlines and is located about 10 miles from Fort Carson. The Greyhound bus terminal is located at 120 S. Weber St. in Colorado Springs. Their phone number is 635-1505.

COLORADO ROAD CONDITIONS
Colorado weather can be erratic. Mountain passes are frequently closed due to snow and ice or mudslides — even in summer months. During winter months, storms may suddenly occur. Preparation is key to staying safe. If you are traveling in the winter, come prepared. It is advisable to have equipment such as tire chains, blankets, flashlights and bottled water for emergency situations. The Colorado State Highway Patrol road conditions are updated around the clock, call (303) 639-1111.

IN-PROCESSING
All incoming personnel should report to the Consolidated Assignments Processing Section (CAPS) in Building 1218, room 136, phone number (719) 526-9889, in the USO building during duty hours of 7:15 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday. The building is located on the corner of Wetzel Avenue and Ellis Street. During nonduty hours, Soldiers should report to the United States Army Replacement Detachment, building 1013, Wetzel Avenue, phone number (719) 526-6961. It is not necessary to report in uniform. Soldiers will receive an inprocessing appointment after signing in. Allow two to four days to inprocess, depending upon rank. Be sure to have dental, medical, finance and personnel records, orders and a Department of the Army Form 31 (leave form). If your finance records are in order, you will normally be paid your travel entitlements within five days of your first day of inprocessing.

DEPART MENT OF THE ARMY CIVILIANS
Department of the Army civilians should report to Building 1118, 1626 Ellis St., Room 161, at 7:45 a.m. on the first day of their employment at Fort Carson. For information on employment at Fort Carson, call 526-8341 or DSN 691-8341.

WHERE TO STA Y
Staff sergeants and below, unaccompanied by their Families, will receive temporary billeting at the replacement detachment. Those accompanied by their Families or in the rank of sergeant first class and above should contact the Colorado Inn, building 7301, the post's temporary lodging facility.

The Colorado Inn is operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance. Temporary-duty personnel and permanent change of station Families will be housed on a priority basis. Currently, there are 177 rooms available for servicemembers on post. Only nonsmoking rooms are available. Children under 16 stay free. Pets are not allowed at the Colorado Inn except in a limited number of pet-friendly rooms, available on a first come-first service basis. The Colorado Inn has also contracted with several local hotels to provide rooms for overflow personnel. These hotel contracts provide for lower than normal rates for military personnel and their Families. For more information or to make a reservation, call 526-4832, ext. 0. The Colorado Inn is open 24/7 daily. People can view rooms or make on-line reservations at http://www.carson.army.mil; click on the "newcomers" link on the left-hand side.

HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Contact the Joint Personal Property Shipping Office as soon as possible. The office will coordinate delivery of household goods, unaccompanied and hold baggage. For more information or for delivery coordination, call 554-9298. Claims on damaged shipments are handled by the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate.

WEAPONS REGISTRATION
Military personnel assigned or attached to Fort Carson, civilian employees, visitors or anyone wishing to bring a firearm onto the installation must register their weapon with the Vehicle Registration Office, Building 6012, within five working days after acquisition of the firearm or initial arrival to Fort Carson.

Privately owned firearms may only be transported on Fort Carson if the individual is transporting the weapon to or from a place of authorized storage, sale, hunting area, hunter safety class, firing range, or gun/repair shop.

Persons with firearms registered at the VRO must clear their registration upon departure from The Mountain Post. For details, call 524-1896.

Post regulations make it illegal to possess, store, maintain or display a blackjack, gravity or inertia knife, switchblade, stun gun, zip gun or any other instrument designed to injure or cause death. Weapons should not be stored in vehicles under any circumstances.