Space Command HQ to stay in southern Colorado following Biden decision

The headquarters of U.S. Space Command will remain in southern Colorado after former president Donald Trump said in 2020 that Space Command would be moving to Alabama.

President Joe Biden has decided to keep the command's headquarters in Colorado Springs at Peterson Space Force Base, the Associated Press reported Monday.

Colorado’s representatives in Congress and Gov. Jared Polis celebrated the White House's decision.

What is Space Command?

Space Command includes representatives from multiple branches of the military. The organization was formally created in 2019 and oversees military operations in outer space.

Why Space Command is staying in Colorado

Biden is reversing Trump’s decision, which the former president announced shortly before he left office. Colorado’s federal representatives have been pressuring the White House to keep Space Command in Colorado for years.

The head of Space Command, Gen. James Dickinson, reportedly told Biden that moving the base from Colorado would “jeopardize military readiness,” AP reported.

Proponents said that creating new headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama, would set back the timeline for Space Command to be fully operational, according to the AP. Also, the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs includes guardians of Space Force.

Space Force is the most recently created — and smallest — branch of the U.S. Military, authorized by Trump in 2019 to defend outer space.

How Colorado’s elected officials reacted

Pueblo’s representative in Congress, Rep. Lauren Boebert, tweeted a statement in support of the decision.

“I'm very happy to see that our efforts were heard and US Space Command will remain in Colorado Springs. Our entire state delegation worked across party lines to put Colorado’s interest first on this major military investment,” Boebert wrote.

U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper also applauded the decision in a joint press release.

“Today’s decision restores integrity to the Pentagon’s basing process and sends a strong message that national security and the readiness of our Armed Forces drive our military decisions. Colorado is the rightful home for U.S. Space Command, and our state will continue to lead America in space for years to come,” Bennet said.

“This decision firmly rejects the idea that politics — instead of national security — should determine basing decisions central to our national security,” Hickenlooper said. “We’re grateful to the service members and civilians who serve at Space Command, keeping us safe at the cutting edge of this new frontier.”

Polis said in a news release that he has also lobbied to keep Space Command in Colorado and thanked federal representatives for their advocacy.

“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,” Polis said.

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com or on Twitter, @annalynnfrey. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Space Command will stay in Colorado Springs, Biden decides