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 make the area 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 also have easy access to the many cultural attractions of "The Springs" and the bright lights of nearby Denver. 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.

CLIMATE AND ALTITUDE
The Colorado Springs area has a mild year-round climate. In January, the coldest month, temperatures average a high of 43 degrees 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 
If you are entering Fort Carson in a privately owned vehicle that has not been registered with a Department of Defense installation and does not have a valid DoD sticker, you must enter the post through Gate 1 and be subject to a full-vehicle inspection. All incoming Soldiers and civilian personnel are required to permanently register their vehicles, including motorcycles. If you are using a rental vehicle, your contract will act as your registration and proof of insurance. To enter Fort Carson, you must also have a valid driver's license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance.

For more information on vehicle registration, during normal duty hours, call (719) 524-1896. Vehicle Registration is located in Building 6012, adjacent to Gate 1.

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 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. For information call, (719) 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 military personnel should report to the United States Army Replacement Detachment and Fort Carson Welcome/Farewell Center, Building 1218, on the corner of Wetzel Avenue and Ellis Street. It is not necessary to report in uniform. The detachment operates 24 hours a day. Soldiers will receive an in-processing appointment after signing in. Allow two to four days to in-process, depending on 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 in-processing.

DEPARTMENT 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, call (719) 526-8341 or DSN 691-8341.

WHERE TO STAY
Staff sergeants and below, unaccompanied by their Families, will receive temporary billeting at the replacement detachment. Anyone 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. There are 203 non-smoking rooms available for service members on post. Children younger than 16 stay free. Pets are not allowed.

The Colorado Inn has also contracted with several local hotels to provide rooms at lower than normal rates for overflow personnel. Hours of operation are 6:30-1:30 a.m. daily. For more information or to make a reservation, call (719) 526-4832, ext. 0, or make online 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. Claims on damaged shipments are handled by the Office of the Staff Judge Advocate. For more information or for delivery coordination, call (719) 554-9298.

WEAPONS REGISTRATION
Military personnel assigned or attached to Fort Carson, civilian employees, visitors or anyone wishing to bring a weapon or firearm onto the installation must register their weapon with the Vehicle Registration Office, Building 6012, within three working days after acquisition of the weapon or firearm or initial arrival to Fort Carson. This requirement applies to individuals living in government quarters or in an off-post residence.

Persons with weapons or firearms registered at the VRO must clear their registration on departure from The Mountain Post. For details, call (719) 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. read more...