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When Fort Carson flares looked like UFOs
Fort Carson training flares show how ordinary military exercises can look strange enough to become local UFO reports.
On this page
- What witnesses reported over Fort Carson
- How military flares explain strange lights
- Why explained cases still enter UFO lore
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Introduction
Reports of strange lights near Fort Carson have become a recurring feature of UFO discussion in southern Colorado, especially around Colorado Springs. In many cases, witnesses genuinely saw unusual objects: clusters of glowing lights hanging in the sky, drifting slowly, appearing in formation, or remaining visible for long periods after dark. What makes the Fort Carson examples notable is not strong evidence for unknown craft, but how convincingly ordinary military activity can resemble classic UFO imagery.
Fort Carson’s training grounds regularly host live-fire exercises, illumination rounds, helicopter operations and airborne flares. Against the backdrop of nearby installations such as Peterson Space Force Base, the Air Force Academy and Cheyenne Mountain, those exercises easily become folded into wider local rumours about hidden aerospace activity. The result is a useful case study in how UFO stories can grow from real visual experiences that later receive conventional explanations rather than from hoaxes or obvious mistakes.
What witnesses reported over Fort Carson
The most widely discussed recent example occurred in April 2023, when residents across the Colorado Springs area reported glowing lights west and south-west of the city. Witnesses described multiple bright points suspended in the sky, with some claiming the lights formed geometric patterns or remained stationary for unusually long periods. Local television stations received numerous photos and videos from viewers trying to identify the objects. [https://www.kktv.com]kktv.comSource details in endnotes. [Denver Gazette]denvergazette.comstrange lights spotted above colorado springs heres what they wereDenver GazetteStrange lights spotted above Colorado Springs7 Apr 2023 — According to the International UFO Report Index, unidentified fly…
Some observers immediately connected the lights to UFO speculation. Social media comments ranged from uncertainty about explosions or aircraft problems to direct claims of extraterrestrial craft. The lights appeared especially striking because they were visible at dusk, when the surrounding landscape was already dark while objects at altitude could still catch sunlight or burn brightly against the evening sky. [https://www.kktv.com]kktv.comSource details in endnotes.
Fort Carson officials later stated that the lights were flare rounds used during military training exercises. Around the same time, local outlets also reported scheduled live-fire exercises involving several Army units, with warnings that residents might notice increased noise, dust and military activity into the night. https www.kktv.com [KRDO]krdo.comfort carson conducting live fire training exercises over the next two daysFort Carson conducting live-fire training exercises over the…6 Apr 2023 — 4th Infantry Division are conducting various live-fire train…
The 2023 reports were not isolated. Similar episodes have appeared repeatedly in local Facebook groups, Reddit discussions and Colorado Springs community forums. Witnesses often describe orange or white lights hovering over the southern horizon near the mountains or drifting slowly above training areas. In many threads, other residents familiar with the region quickly suggest Fort Carson flares or artillery exercises as likely explanations. [Reddit]reddit.comcan anyone identify these lights seen in coloradoRedditCan anyone identify these lights seen in Colorado last night?22 Mar 2024 — Fort Carson artillery ranges are south of springs maybe… [Facebook]facebook.comI think they’re drones but why would someoneFacebookWhat are the mysterious lights in the sky near Widefield…So coming home from work last night at 12:30 I seen these lights down…
How military flares explain strange lights
Military illumination flares are designed to remain visible for extended periods. Depending on the type used, they may descend slowly beneath parachutes, hover visually from a distance, or appear to maintain formation when several are deployed together. Seen from miles away at night, they can look detached from any obvious aircraft.
This creates several effects commonly associated with UFO reports:
- Stationary hovering: A flare descending slowly toward an observer can appear fixed in the sky, especially without nearby visual reference points.
- Formation patterns: Multiple flares released in sequence may resemble triangular, diamond or linear formations.
- Abrupt disappearance: Once a flare burns out or drops below terrain, it can seem to vanish instantly.
- Silent motion: At long distances, observers often cannot hear aircraft or artillery associated with the exercise.
- Colour changes: Smoke, atmospheric haze and flare chemistry can produce orange, white or reddish glows that shift over time.
The geography around Fort Carson strengthens these effects. Much of the training area lies against dark foothills and open terrain south-west of Colorado Springs. Night exercises occurring beyond visible ridgelines can leave only the lights themselves visible from residential neighbourhoods.
Local television footage from April and June 2023 shows why these sightings attract attention. The lights appear unusually bright and isolated against the dark sky, closely matching the appearance often described in classic UFO reports. [https://www.kktv.com]kktv.comSource details in endnotes. [https://www.kktv.com]kktv.comSource details in endnotes.
Importantly, the explanation does not require witnesses to be careless or dishonest. Many people reporting the lights were accurately describing something genuinely unusual-looking. The misidentification happens because the visual characteristics of military flares overlap strongly with popular expectations of UFO behaviour.
Why Colorado Springs produces recurring UFO rumours
Colorado Springs is unusually dense with military and aerospace infrastructure. Residents live near Army, Air Force and Space Force facilities, while NORAD and Cheyenne Mountain remain internationally recognised symbols of aerospace surveillance and Cold War secrecy. That environment encourages people to interpret unexplained lights through a military or technological lens.
The area also experiences frequent legitimate aerial activity:
- Night helicopter flights
- Artillery illumination rounds
- Aircraft countermeasure flares
- Drone exercises
- Satellite visibility
- High-altitude aircraft traffic
Because observers know sensitive military work occurs nearby, ordinary uncertainty can quickly evolve into speculation about hidden projects or unidentified craft. A flare sighting near Fort Carson may become linked online to rumours about underground facilities, classified aircraft or secret aerospace testing even when the original event had a routine explanation.
This pattern resembles earlier UFO episodes elsewhere in the American Southwest, where military flares were repeatedly mistaken for extraordinary aerial phenomena. The famous “Phoenix Lights” case in Arizona remains the best-known example of this broader dynamic, with later explanations also involving military flare activity for at least part of the event. [Wikipedia]WikipediaPhoenix LightsPhoenix Lights
Why explained cases still enter UFO lore
Even after official explanations appear, Fort Carson flare sightings often remain embedded in local UFO culture. Several factors help these stories persist.
The visual experience feels convincing
People who see the lights directly often come away certain that they observed something highly unusual. Videos captured on phones can preserve the mystery while removing depth perception and environmental context, making the lights appear even stranger to later viewers.
Official explanations can seem incomplete
Military statements are usually brief. In the April 2023 incident, Fort Carson confirmed that flare rounds were involved but released few additional details. [https://www.kktv.com]kktv.comSource details in endnotes.
For some observers, sparse official comments reinforce suspicion rather than resolve it. The absence of detailed public information can leave room for speculation online.
UFO communities catalogue all unusual sightings
Databases, social media groups and discussion forums often preserve reports regardless of whether later explanations emerge. Once a sighting enters UFO culture, corrections may circulate less widely than the original claim.
Reddit and Facebook discussions about Colorado Springs lights illustrate this clearly. Threads frequently contain competing explanations — flares, drones, satellites, reflections, military aircraft or UFOs — all discussed simultaneously without a final consensus accepted by every participant. [Reddit]reddit.comcan anyone identify these lights seen in coloradoRedditCan anyone identify these lights seen in Colorado last night?22 Mar 2024 — Fort Carson artillery ranges are south of springs maybe… [Facebook]facebook.comnot likely a flare, unless I dont know some…Read more…
What the Fort Carson examples reveal about UFO reports
Fort Carson flare sightings are useful because they show how UFO narratives can develop from ordinary but visually dramatic events. These incidents do not demonstrate extraterrestrial craft or hidden technology, but they do highlight several recurring features of UFO reporting in Colorado:
- Military landscapes encourage extraordinary interpretations.
- Real aerial phenomena can appear highly anomalous under certain conditions.
- Witness sincerity does not guarantee accurate identification.
- Social media rapidly amplifies ambiguous sightings.
- Official explanations often arrive after speculation has already spread.
Within Colorado’s wider UFO history, the Fort Carson examples sit firmly in the category of plausible misidentification rather than unresolved mystery. Yet they remain important because they help explain why military regions repeatedly generate UFO rumours even when conventional causes are available.
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Endnotes
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Source: kktv.com
Link: https://www.kktv.com/2023/04/06/what-were-weird-lights-west-colorado-springs-wednesday-they-were-flares-this-isnt-teaser-headline/Source snippet
[https://www.kktv.comWhat](https://www.kktv.comWhat) were the weird lights west of Colorado Springs...April 6, 2023 — 6 Apr 2023 — A spokesperson with Fort Carson t...
Published: April 6, 2023
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Source: krdo.com
Title: fort carson conducting live fire training exercises over the next two days
Link: https://krdo.com/news/top-stories/2023/04/06/fort-carson-conducting-live-fire-training-exercises-over-the-next-two-days/Source snippet
Fort Carson conducting live-fire training exercises over the...6 Apr 2023 — 4th Infantry Division are conducting various live-fire train...
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Source: gazette.com
Link: https://gazette.com/2023/04/06/live-fire-training-on-fort-carson-may-cause-increased-noise-dust-in-southern-colorado-springs-8da7245c-d4cc-11ed-a45e-c3019474ae14/Source snippet
Live-fire training on Fort Carson may cause increased...6 Apr 2023 — Live-fire training exercises on Fort Carson this week may cause inc...
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Source: reddit.com
Title: can anyone identify these lights seen in colorado
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/UFOs/comments/1bkxggk/can_anyone_identify_these_lights_seen_in_colorado/Source snippet
RedditCan anyone identify these lights seen in Colorado last night?22 Mar 2024 — Fort Carson artillery ranges are south of springs maybe...
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Source: facebook.com
Title: I think they’re drones but why would someone
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1637345673313981/posts/2368575966857611/Source snippet
FacebookWhat are the mysterious lights in the sky near Widefield...So coming home from work last night at 12:30 I seen these lights down...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1637345673313981/posts/2568118540236685/Source snippet
not likely a flare, unless I dont know some...Read more...
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Source: kktv.com
Link: https://www.kktv.com/video/2023/06/09/watch-strange-lights-spotted-sky-west-colorado-springs-june-8-2023/Source snippet
[https://www.kktv.comWATCH:](https://www.kktv.comWATCH:) Strange lights spotted in the sky west of Colorado...WATCH: Strange lights spotted in the sky west of Colorad...
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Source: Wikipedia
Title: Phoenix Lights
Link: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Lights -
Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/PuebloIndependent/posts/mystery-lights-in-sky-in-pueblo-area-and-se-colorado-captured-in-photos-and-vide/725307873060515/Source snippet
MYSTERY LIGHTS IN SKY IN PUEBLO AREA AND SE...MYSTERY LIGHTS IN SKY IN PUEBLO AREA AND SE COLORADO CAPTURED IN PHOTOS AND VIDEO - Here a...
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Source: facebook.com
Title: from spherical objects to odd lights some wild sightings have reportedly been se
Link: https://www.facebook.com/outtherecolorado/posts/from-spherical-objects-to-odd-lights-some-wild-sightings-have-reportedly-been-se/587602346733144/Source snippet
From spherical objects to odd lights, some wild sightings...Strange UFO lights filmed over Colorado 13-Jan-2018. September... Some say...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/outtherecolorado/videos/-this-image-was-captured-on-an-iphone-and-not-otherwise-doctored-or-changed-thou/440861485755826/Source snippet
🛸 This image was captured on an iPhone and not otherwise...Ft Carson does occasionally fire flares and does drone training, which have f...
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Source: facebook.com
Link: https://www.facebook.com/USArmyFortCarson/posts/an-aurora-colors-the-colorado-sky-above-fort-carson-may-10-according-to-the-nati/849257460567606/
Additional References
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Source: westernmassnews.com
Link: https://www.westernmassnews.com/video/2023/04/06/watch-strange-lights-spotted-sky-west-colorado-springs-april-5-2023/Source snippet
WATCH: Strange lights spotted in the sky west of Colorado...A spokesperson says those lights are actually flare rounds and they're being...
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Source: kalb.com
Link: https://www.kalb.com/video/2023/04/06/watch-strange-lights-spotted-sky-west-colorado-springs-april-5-2023/Source snippet
[https://www.kalb.comWATCH:](https://www.kalb.comWATCH:) Strange lights spotted in the sky west of Colorado...WATCH: Strange lights spotted in the sky west of Colorad...
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Source: mysuncoast.com
Link: https://www.mysuncoast.com/video/2023/04/06/watch-strange-lights-spotted-sky-west-colorado-springs-april-5-2023/Source snippet
WATCH: Strange lights spotted in the sky west of Colorado...WATCH: Strange lights spotted in the sky west of Colorado Springs April 5, 2...
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Source: denvergazette.com
Title: strange lights spotted above colorado springs heres what they were
Link: https://www.denvergazette.com/2023/04/07/strange-lights-spotted-above-colorado-springs-heres-what-they-were/Source snippet
Denver GazetteStrange lights spotted above Colorado Springs7 Apr 2023 — According to the International UFO Report Index, unidentified fly...
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Source: koaa.com
Link: https://www.koaa.com/news/local-news/fort-carson-soldiers-conducting-live-fire-training-next-week-through-augustSource snippet
Fort Carson soldiers conducting live-fire training next week...21 Jul 2025 — The training is expected to start on Monday, July 28 and en...
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Source: metabunk.org
Title: caison bests fort carson uap report.14412
Link: https://www.metabunk.org/threads/caison-bests-fort-carson-uap-report.14412/Source snippet
Caison Best's Fort Carson UAP Report2 Sept 2025 — Growing up here, I had never seen a UAP or UFO. We see flares by the bases that people...
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Source: youtube.com
Title: WATCH: Strange lights spotted in the sky west of Colorado Springs
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fLH9DLWHiUSource snippet
2 WATCH: Strange lights spotted in the sky from Colorado and Arizona explained...
Published: April 5, 2023
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Source: youtube.com
Title: WATCH: Strange lights spotted in the sky from Colorado and Arizona explained!
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQSQh8WrEx8Source snippet
3 What is that light over Colorado Springs?...
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Source: youtube.com
Title: Colorado’s Strangest Mysteries Just Got Weirder
Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDUmOhPjUpQSource snippet
5 Former senior intelligence officer finds UAP by Colorado defense bunker | Reality Check...
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Source: denvergazette.com
Title: 12 times ufos have been reported in colorado so far in 2023
Link: https://www.denvergazette.com/2023/04/07/12-times-ufos-have-been-reported-in-colorado-so-far-in-2023/Source snippet
Videos captured show at least...Read more...
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