Polis-Primavera Administration Applauds Decision to Retain U.S. Space Command in Colorado

Polis-Primavera administration in partnership with Colorado’s federal delegation, and local leaders have consistently advocated for Space Command to remain in Colorado

DENVER  - Today, Governor Jared Polis and Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera issued the following statements in response to President Biden’s decision to keep U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs. The Polis-Primavera administration in partnership with Colorado’s federal delegation, and local leaders have consistently advocated for Space Command to remain in Colorado and Governor Polis personally urged a former President to follow that recommendation in 2020 as well as the current President.

“This is great news for Colorado and our national security — keeping U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs is an exciting outcome for our state, military families, jobs, and businesses. This thoughtful and correct decision guarantees operational success for decades to come and improves our national defense. I personally advocated for Space Command to remain in Colorado with the former President and current administration. I am grateful to the strong, bipartisan coalition of leaders from across Colorado who never wavered in our commitment to keeping Space Command in our state and national defense,” said Governor Polis.

“Colorado’s unique aerospace strengths provide the innovation and commitment to service necessary to ensure our national security, especially during such a critical moment,” continued Governor Polis.

“U.S. Space Command has flawlessly executed its mission in Colorado Springs since day one, and we celebrate the decision to keep U.S. Space Command in its rightful home, where reports show U.S. Space Command can achieve Full Operational Capability faster and at a lower cost than anywhere else,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. Lt. Governor Primavera serves as the co-chair of the Colorado Space Coalition.

Governor Polis and Lieutenant Governor Primavera worked closely with Colorado’s federal delegation and local leaders over the past three years, to advocate for Colorado Springs as the rightful home of U.S. Space Command, which included meetings with Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall and other senior members of the Biden Administration as well as open letters to former President Trump, President Biden, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. 

Colorado is the epicenter of national security space, employing over 274,000 people statewide. Under the Polis-Primavera administration, Colorado continues to lead the nation in employment in the private aerospace industry per capita, with Coloradans working at the forefront of aerospace innovation and collaboration across the commercial, national security, and civil space sectors.