Gardner seeks reestablishment of Space Command in Colorado

The U.S. Space Command headquarters should be reestablished in Colorado, says U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO).

At a time when the Department of Defense is looking to prioritize training and mission readiness, establishing U.S. Space Command in Colorado capitalizes on existing capabilities and expertise while ensuring that national security space operations can be further developed with minimal disruption and without delay,” Sen. Gardner wrote in a July 31 letter sent to U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper.

The lawmaker pointed out that his home state “is proud to have been the first home of U.S. Space Command when it was previously established in 1985.”

“Today, Colorado continues to possess the trained military personnel, and technical expertise necessary to assume the additional responsibilities associated with a Unified Combatant Command for space, as well as the space-related responsibilities currently assigned to United States Strategic Command,” wrote Sen. Gardner.

The Centennial State already is home to several strategic military installations and joint operational space programs, the senator added, including the U.S. Air Force Space Command, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, the U.S. Northern Command, the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and the National Space Defense Center. 

“Defense industry partners are represented by more than 500 space-related companies and professional organizations such as the Space Foundation, Colorado Space Coalition, and the Colorado Space Business Roundtable,” he added.

Sen. Gardner also said that Colorado has been a nationwide leader in supporting transitioning military families. 

“Community support in our state for military operations, personnel, and their families cannot be matched,” according to his letter. “Collaborative and regional interstate compacts agreements have significantly improved licensure reciprocity and portability for transitioning military spouses seeking employment as teachers, nurses, emergency medical personnel, and physical therapists across the state.”

Sen. Gardner invited Secretary Esper back to Colorado for a visit with the state’s active, reserve and National Guard defense mission partners and military installations, and said he looked forward to “continued collaboration.”