25,000…that's the number of Fort Carson soldiers and their families who will join our community over the next three years. Troops from Fort Hood, Texas are getting stationed at the Mountain Post as part of BRAC, Base Realignment and Closure.

Economically, it'll be great according Major General Robert Mixon, the commanding general of Fort Carson. But, the community will also face challenges, like providing healthcare, housing and schools for the influx of people.

In a town hall meeting, about 500 residents crammed together to learn more about what the Fort Carson growth means. MG Mixon said, "Fort Carson alone puts $1 billion into economy every year. It’s a good news type of story; it means opportunity." But, with opportunity, said Fort Carson General Mixon, also comes challenges.

In the next three years, a group of local leaders has to figure out how they'll provide schooling for thousands of new kids. What about housing affordable for a soldier's salary? Then, there's the traffic coming and going out of Fort Carson. But, a major concern is healthcare. "The challenges are human services, social services, behavioral health. They’ll put a strain on services in town," Tony Koren said. He’s with the Colorado Defense Mission Coalition.

The soldiers coming from Fort Hood, Texas are with the 4th Infantry Division.