The Fort is an important part of the area’s early history and demonstrative of the opening up of the west. Fort Lyon is located along the historic Santa Fe Trail. Since 1868 the fort has been an Army outpost, Navy tuberculosis treatment center, state correctional facility, Veteran’s Admin neuro-psychiatric center, and unhoused rehabilitation center.
Located directly east of Las Animas, Fort Lyon has a long and rich history service the territory, state and region. A National Register District, it was originally built as an army outpost in the 1860’s. Located on 512 acres along the Arkansas River and the Sante Fe Trail, the property consists of approximately 91 contributing buildings and features, constructed in varying architectural styles during different occupies. Active as an Army Fort between 1868-1888, it was later occupied by the Navy as a tuberculosis treatment facility, then later as VA hospital, and then ownership was transferred to the Colorado Department of Corrections. Bent County has taken a leadership role in redeveloping the site, which is owned by the State of Colorado. Fort Lyon is currently under partial occupation by the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless and the ultimate goal is adaptive reuse of the property so that the Fort Lyon campus can be self-supporting. Partially funded by the History Colorado State Historical Fund, the current project will result in a comprehensive master plan identifying building conditions, reuse potential, and funding opportunities.