Fort Carson, Military base in El Paso County, Colorado.
Fort Carson is a military base in El Paso County, Colorado, that spreads across training grounds, residential neighborhoods, and administrative buildings. The installation sits at an elevation of 1,772 meters (5,814 feet) and features manicured lawns, wide streets, and rows of two-story houses in earth tones.
The base opened in January 1942, shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack, to train troops for World War II. Several conflicts since that time expanded the facilities and changed the role of the site in the country's military system.
The name honors a 19th-century frontier officer and scout who served across the western territories. Military families and civilian employees live here in a self-contained community with its own schools and social facilities.
Entry happens through controlled gates where visitors must present valid identification and possibly prior authorization. The grounds are wide, so having a car helps when moving between different areas.
During World War II, the base held around 9,000 Italian and German prisoners of war who worked on local farms and logging camps. Some of the old camp barracks still stand today, reminding visitors of that time.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
