$250M Space Force Facility Could Bring 2,500 Jobs to Colorado Springs
- COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Colorado Springs could see about 2,500 new civilian jobs after Congress advanced legislation funding a $250 million Space Force Operations Facility at Schriever Space Force Base.
The funding is included in the latest National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the annual defense policy bill currently moving through Congress.
The new operations center is designed to support highly sensitive national security missions, including the Golden Dome program, space-based reconnaissance and all-domain command and control operations. According to estimates from the Colorado Springs City Council, the development will support roughly 2,500 civilian jobs throughout the Front Range defense corridor.
The project is expected to soften the economic impact on El Paso County as the region prepares for the long-term relocation of U.S. Space Command to Huntsville, Alabama. Following a prolonged multi-state dispute, the transition of Space Command from Peterson Space Force Base is slated for completion between 2031 and 2032. Local officials estimate the departure will cost the region hundreds of defense-related positions.
"I can confidently say that there will be thousands of new space jobs in El Paso County in the next few years," U.S. Rep. Jeff Crank said during a joint press briefing at the base, as reported by regional news station KKTV. According to a press release from Crank's office described the facility's foundational goal as securing the "ultimate high ground" in modern combat.
Beyond physical construction, the legislation establishes a major shift in military acquisition authority. The Space Force's newly created Infrastructure Portfolio Acquisition Executive (PAE) will relocate from Los Angeles and establish its permanent headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base.
Under the restructured procurement policies outlined by Rep. Jeff Crank's office, Space Force PAEs will exercise more than 90% of all independent decision-making authority over their respective portfolios.
The Infrastructure PAE will assume control of an existing $4 billion operational testing and training portfolio, a move designed to accelerate technology deployment by working directly with Colorado aerospace companies across the Front Range.
As reported by Aerospace America, future defense provisions will also focus on expanding the personnel pipeline, including a plan to increase the baseline Officer Training Course at Peterson Space Force Base from 600 to 1,800 incoming second lieutenants within two years.
While facility designs are underway, final construction remains dependent on full congressional appropriations for the upcoming fiscal cycle.
If fully funded, the project would represent one of the largest recent Space Force infrastructure investments in Colorado Springs and would reinforce the region's role as a national hub for military space operations.