New Space Force Investments Reinforce Colorado Springs’ Role in National Security Future
Colorado Springs and El Paso County received significant new investments in the future of America’s space operations and national security today as Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Congressman Jeff Crank announced major new Space Force initiatives for the region.
“Over half of all Space Force Guardians live in the Pikes Peak Region,” said Congressman Jeff Crank. “As the Space Force continues to grow, so will our community. I’m grateful to President Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and Secretary Meink for their continued commitment to El Paso County and delighted that the investments Secretary Meink announced today solidify that commitment for the long term. Colorado Springs is proud to have been a strong partner of the Department of the Air Force for over eight decades, and I’m confident that our best days are still ahead.”
Among the announcements:
- The Space Force’s new Infrastructure Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE), relocating from Space Systems Command in Los Angeles, will now be headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base
- A new $250 million Space Force Operations Facility will be constructed at Schriever Space Force Base
- The facility is expected to support approximately 2,500 civilian jobs in the community
- The Space Force also continues planning for future personnel growth, including expanded officer training operations at Peterson Space Force Base
“The Department of the Air Force is grateful for our enduring partnership with the State of Colorado,” said Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink. “As home to nearly half of all uniformed Space Force Guardians, Colorado remains a vital anchor for our national security mission. Our ongoing investments and collaboration are a tangible representation of our continued commitment to Colorado and the future of the Space Force.”
The announcements further reinforce Colorado Springs and El Paso County’s position as a national hub for aerospace, defense, and space operations.
“These announcements represent more than new facilities and jobs,” said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President & CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. “They are a strong signal of continued confidence in Colorado Springs and El Paso County as a trusted, mission-ready partner for the Department of the Air Force and the Space Force.”
The new Infrastructure PAE will grow out of the Space Force’s former Operational Test and Training Infrastructure office and its existing $4 billion portfolio. Leaders say the move is expected to create long-term investment and employment opportunities while helping attract additional aerospace and defense companies to the Pikes Peak region.
Seth Harvey, CEO and Co-Founder of Bluestaq and Chair of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC Board of Directors, said the announcement represents an important moment not only for national security, but for the broader regional economy.
“This is a major win for national security and our local aerospace and defense community,” Harvey said. “But more than that, I think it’s also a catalyst for future economic growth across many different facets of our community.”
Harvey also highlighted the depth of the region’s military leadership, innovation ecosystem, and workforce.
“Our community is a collection of combatant commands, military leaders, and a technology talent pool that is as deep as any tech hub in the entire United States, as well as a collection of innovative companies who all understand the need and the significance of supporting national security systems and missions,” he said.
Earlier this year, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, with support from Colorado Springs City Council and the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, announced the filing of an amicus brief in support of U.S. Space Command. The organization said the decision reflected the community’s commitment to mission readiness, national security, and its long-term partnership with the Department of the Air Force and the Space Force.
“At the time, we said Colorado Springs is focused on partnership over partisanship, that we wanted to look forward, not backward, and that we wanted to put national security first,” Kleymeyer said. “Today’s announcement reinforces exactly why that matters.”
The Chamber & EDC also credits years of collaboration between military leadership, local governments, industry leaders, and organizations like the Colorado Aerospace & Defense Economic Council (CAD-EC) for helping position the region for continued growth.
“Communities that are collaborative, mission focused, and solutions oriented are the communities that continue earning opportunities like this one,” Kleymeyer said.
Colorado Springs and El Paso County are home to five military installations and one of the nation’s largest concentrations of aerospace and defense assets, making the region a critical component of the country’s national security infrastructure.
“Colorado Springs and El Paso County have always answered the call when our nation needed us,” Kleymeyer said. “Today’s announcement makes clear that our role in defending America’s future is only growing stronger.”