KRDO13 Investigates: Fort Carson says barracks AC repairs are complete following KRDO13 investigation

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) -- Fort Carson says air conditioning repairs are complete in four barracks buildings where soldiers previously reported extreme heat, as a recent federal audit raises broader concerns about deferred maintenance across the Department of Defense.

Last week, KRDO13 Investigates spoke with soldiers who said temperatures inside some barracks climbed into the 80s and 90s. Some told us they resorted to sleeping in their cars to escape the heat.

Fort Carson previously told KRDO13 Investigates that the age of its HVAC infrastructure was the biggest hurdle to completing repairs.

A Fort Carson official now says repairs to the impacted barracks were completed Friday and remain operational.

The base also says chiller replacement projects have been approved for five barracks buildings and are expected to be installed and operational next spring.

Federal audit finds $285 billion maintenance backlog

The update comes as a recent Government Accountability Office audit examines a much broader maintenance problem across the military.

The GAO found the Department of Defense's estimated deferred maintenance backlog more than doubled in five years: from $137 billion in fiscal year 2020 to $285 billion in fiscal year 2025.

The federal watchdog found deferred maintenance and improvement backlogs have contributed to degraded infrastructure that can negatively affect military missions and service members' quality of life.

At installations examined by auditors, officials reported problems including HVAC failures, roof leaks, water damage and suspected mold.

Fort Carson was not one of the eight installations GAO selected for its installation-level review, so the audit does not directly link its findings to the AC failures at Fort Carson.

KRDO13 Investigates asked Fort Carson how much deferred maintenance currently exists on post and whether maintenance funding contributed to the recent AC problems.

Fort Carson referred questions about the GAO audit to Army headquarters.

KRDO13 Investigates has reached out to the Army and is awaiting a response.

If you have information you believe the public needs to know, KRDO13 Investigates wants to hear from you. Tips can be submitted by emailing 13Investigates@krdo.com.

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