Colorado Springs makes bid to become home of U.S. Space Academy
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Colorado leaders are making a push to bring the newly proposed U.S. Space Academy to the Centennial State, with Gov. Jared Polis backing Colorado Springs as the proposed location.
The proposal comes after the Trump administration moved U.S. Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama, in 2025. Now, Colorado leaders are hoping to bring another major Space institution to the city.
Polis announced Friday that Colorado Springs should be Colorado's candidate to host the academy, highlighting the city's aerospace industry, educational partnerships and existing military presence.
"We have unparalleled aerospace company, the highest concentration of aerospace jobs in the nation. World-class research, great educational partners. Premiere partnerships across Colorado and especially here in El Paso County," Polis said.
According to President Trump's announcement of the U.S. Space Academy, it will be a "NASA-led Federal academy," and students can either go into the Space Force, other armed forces or civilian federal service.
Officials say the proposal includes a partnership with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, which would serve as a temporary campus for the academy's first class while the state builds a permanent campus.
The state says the proposal would meet several key requirements, including at least 300 acres of available land and partnerships with colleges and universities.
Currently, Space Force cadets train at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.
The Governor explained that if selected, the new academy is expected to begin classes in fall 2028, with a permanent campus targeted for completion in 2031.
However, the final location of the academy and how it would be funded have not yet been determined.
Colorado is competing against other states interested in hosting the academy. So far, 12 other states have expressed interest.
Official proposals are due Nov. 16.
Colorado leaders say the state's aerospace industry and existing military infrastructure make it a strong contender, but the final decision will come from the federal government.
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