The future of Space Command, the ongoing war in Ukraine and quality of life issues for service members are all among the tough military issues newly elected Congressman-elect Jeff Crank will face when he takes office in January.

Crank is replacing Congressman Doug Lamborn, who is retiring after 18 years of representing Congressional District 5, which covers Colorado Springs and some surrounding communities.

One of his top priorities ahead of taking office has been vying for a seat on the House Armed Services Committee, a powerful group that guides military investment decisions. Lamborn previously held a seat on the committee and was the sole Colorado representative in recent years as Colorado and Alabama lawmakers fought to be the future home of Space Command. Colorado also does not have a senator on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In an interview with The Gazette, Crank said he has talked with as many steering committee members as possible about an assignment to the House Armed Services Committee.

“I feel pretty good about it. … I think I have done everything I can possibly do,” he said.

Crank’s appointment to the committee could be critical, especially because the fight over Space Command could be reopened when President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Alabama lawmakers have kept up the pressure to move the command to Huntsville, even after President Joe Biden made the decision last year to keep the command in Colorado permanently.

Crank said that he didn’t believe Trump had made a definitive decision on Space Command’s future and he had met with Colorado lawmakers in recent days about working to keep it. The command employs about 1,700 people and is focused on defending and deterring violence in space. It is separate from the Space Force, the youngest military branch.

“I will be appealing to the incoming administration that Space Command should stay,” said Crank, who earned Trump’s endorsement after winning the Republican primary.

Crank said he believed it would be in the taxpayers’ best interest to keep the command in town. Many talented civilians and contractors could also leave the command, if it moved to Alabama, he said.

Quality of life issues, amid a tough recruiting environment for the military, are also high on Crank’s priority list.

“We can’t afford for our military to be living in bad housing and not feeling like they are being fed,” he said.

Crank said he planned to visit Fort Carson in the coming days and ask about solving some of these issues.

He noted that the National Defense Authorization Act includes a 14% pay bump for junior enlisted service members and that should help. But other issues are also critical.

In recent months, Fort Carson soldiers have been complaining of poor food options on Hots&Cots, an anonymous app. One photo of the food options that made the national news showed a plate of lima beans and toast. Posts from recent days show more robust food options.

Fort Carson said in an official statement that the base has had challenges with the dining quality. To correct it, the base is requiring that if an item is on the menu, soldiers should have the option to eat it. The base is also reinvigorating its dining facility council, which brings together brigade-level leadership to emphasize food service.

“We’re committed to ensuring our Soldiers receive quality and healthy meals and can take full advantage of their meal benefit they are entitled to receive,” the statement said.

Fort Carson soldiers have also complained about suboptimal housing in Army-wide surveys of housing.

The most recent survey released in November 2024 showed that Fort Carson received a poor rating from residents for overall satisfaction with their homes. The base received a score of 62 from its residents and ranked 45 out of 48 among the bases. Its rating was 58 last year, or very poor.  Previously, it had ranked last for three years in a row.

A poor rating reflects “substandard performance and strong displeasure with the property and/or the level of service. Improvements are needed immediately,” the survey said.

Crank said the military needs to make sure the companies that own houses on base are providing proper maintenance.

Fort Carson leadership holds walking town halls to hear from residents about housing and help address concerns.

Balfour Beatty has also made progress on overdue work orders. In September 2022, Fort Carson had 5,162 overdue work orders. There are currently 191 overdue work orders, according a statement from the base.

Earlier this year, base leadership told The Gazette, that Balfour Beatty Communities, which owns the homes, had set aside funding to address neighborhood-wide issues.

On the world stage, Crank said he is hopeful the new administration can bring about peace in Ukraine. But he also wants to see Russia fully exit Ukraine.

He would also like to see an accounting of where the aid to Ukraine has gone before approving additional military funding.

“I am not going to endlessly write checks to Ukraine,” Crank said.