4.2.10 Cultural Resources

Cultural resources management on Fort Carson and the PCMS encompasses conservation of resources of significance to the history or prehistory of the United States or of traditional, religious, or cultural importance to Native Americans.  Three general stages of prehistory have been delineated for southeastern Colorado:  the Paleoindian, Archaic, and Late Prehistoric.  These periods span from approximately 11,500 B.P. to 225 B.P. (before present). The historic era of southeastern Colorado spans the first European incursions into the area in the 16th century to the present, including occupation during the Spanish, Mexican, and Euroamerican eras.

Cultural resources have been identified in the following categories:  districts, buildings, structures, and historic, prehistoric, and multi-component archaeological sites. Management of cultural resources hinges on the identification and eligibility for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places (National Register) of resources, which include archaeological sites, buildings/structures, and traditional cultural properties and Native American sacred sites.  A total of 6,806 archeological sites have been recorded on Fort Carson and the PCMS, with approximately 600 determined to be eligible for inclusion in the National Register.

Three National Register-eligible Historic Districts are located on Fort Carson, and 11 have been given this designation on the PCMS.  Fort Carson has completed the inventory and evaluation of World War II-era architectural properties and historic architectural investigations are currently focused on those from the Cold War-era.

Paleonotological resources are not strictly classified as cultural resources and do not have the same federal mandates for identification and protection.  However, fossil resources are managed by Fort Carson, as the conservation issues surrounding paleonotological sites and collections are closely tied to those pertaining to archaeological resources.  Three studies have been conducted on Fort Carson and two on the PCMS, with 66 areas of paleonotological deposits identified.

Regional Setting