Since the inception of our region’s first army base, Camp Carson, during World War II, this community has understood what it means to be a military town. More than seven decades later, Colorado Springs is the proud home of five major installations and a cornerstone of America’s national defense. We arrived here through Democratic and Republican administrations alike by understanding a simple truth: America’s national security depends on trust between those who serve and the communities that support them.

That commitment to trust and partnership guided our community last year when the Colorado Attorney General filed a lawsuit challenging the federal government’s decision on the permanent headquarters of U.S. Space Command. The lawsuit was not requested by local leaders, was not supported by the local governments directly affected, and did not reflect the reality of a region that has long prioritized mission readiness over political maneuvering.

Colorado Springs chose a different path. Spearheaded by the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, and joined by a majority of City Council and the entire El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, an amicus brief was filed opposing the lawsuit. The decision was rooted not in partisanship but in principle. These leaders recognized that prolonged uncertainty harms national security, disrupts long-term planning, and places military families in unnecessary limbo. They understood that states do not determine where combatant commands are located; the Commander‑in‑Chief and the Department of War do.

Their leadership was not easy but it was right.  Last week, that choice was validated in the strongest possible terms.

Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink and Congressman Jeff Crank announced a series of major new investments that will shape America’s future in space operations right here in Colorado Springs. A new $250 million Space Force Operations Facility will be constructed at Schriever Space Force Base. The facility alone is expected to support approximately 2,500 civilian jobs and is separate from additional personnel growth tied to expanded officer training operations at Peterson. The Space Force’s new Infrastructure Portfolio Acquisition Executive, a major Space Systems Command function with a $4 billion portfolio, will now also be headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base. It cannot be overstated how important having this in our backyard will be for attracting small and mid-sized defense firms that want to be in proximity to the decision-makers shaping the future of space operations. 

The aforementioned are not symbolic gestures. They are concrete commitments that reaffirm Colorado Springs as a major operational hub for the Space Force. They also underscore a simple truth, communities that lead with partnership earn opportunities.

This progress did not happen by accident. It reflects the byproduct of decisive leadership and collaboration between Congressman Crank, City Council, the Board of County Commissioners, industry partners, and organizations like the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and the Colorado Aerospace & Defense Economic Council. More importantly, it reflects a community that chose to advance the mission rather than dwell on the past.

The amicus brief was never about that, rather, it was about signaling who we are. A region that puts national security first, supports military families, and understands the weight of that responsibility. Last week’s announcement shows that the signal was heard.

Today, as America’s future in space becomes more consequential (and contested), it’s essential Colorado Springs’ role in that conversation grow as well. Continued strength to do so will be driven by leadership, unity, and the resolve of a community that understands that partnership is not just a posture, it is a strategic advantage.

Dan Nordberg is a former Colorado State Representative and presidential appointee, serving as Regional Administrator for Region VIII and later as Director of the Office of Rural Affairs at the U.S. Small Business Administration.