Local leaders react after President Biden announces U.S. Space Command headquarters will remain in Colorado
COLORADO, USA (KRDO)-- President Biden has decided to keep U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado.
Governor Jared Polis and Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera are applauding the President’s decision following extensive efforts to keep the headquarters here instead of in Huntsville, Alabama.
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.
“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.”
Governor Jared Polis
New Colorado Springs Mayor, Yemi Mobolade released the following statement following the President's decision: "Today’s announcement is an affirmation of what we already know. Colorado Springs is the home of space. Our City is now proud to be the permanent home of U.S. Space Command, and we are committed to its long-term success. It is clear this final decision is in the best interest of our national security and is the most responsible use of taxpayer dollars. I want to express our thanks to President Biden, and to our Colorado military delegation – Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, Congressmen Doug Lamborn and Jason Crow, Governor Jared Polis, our El Paso County Commissioners, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and our defense industry leadership, along with former Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers – who joined together and advocated to keep this mission in our community. Today marks the beginning of the next chapter of our city’s long and proud military history and Colorado Springs will continue to rally around and support our service members, veterans, and their families."
General James Dickinson, Commander of U.S. Space Command, said, "I welcome this final basing decision. Since its establishment in 2019, USSPACECOM has been focused on operating and delivering exquisite capacity to the joint force to deter and, if needed, prevail in conflict. Our priorities to ensure mission success and care for our people remain unchanged. We will continue to meet our directives to deliver space effects to the warfighter and protect and defend the space domain."
Congressman Doug Lamborn also applauded the decision. "China and Russia are putting a lot of assets into space to challenge what we have up there. And if we allow for any delays, that's going to impact the mission in a negative way," Lamborn told KRDO.
Alabama Governor, Kay Ivey responded to the news, saying, "The White House choosing to not locate Space Command Headquarters in Alabama – the rightful selection – is very simply the wrong decision for national security. The fact that a CNN reporter is who first delivered the news to Alabama should say all."
