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Letter to Hon. Lloyd Austin III, Secretary of Defense, and Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Air Force - Congressman Neguse Applauds Letter from Colorado Universities Requesting US Space Command Stay in Colorado

Letter

Date: May 31, 2022
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Higher Education Science

Dear Secretary Austin and Secretary Kendall,
I write to echo the sentiments expressed by Colorado higher education leaders in their May 31, 2022 letter expressing support for keeping the U.S. Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
I ask that you reconsider relocating the U.S. Space Command headquarters in anticipation of the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) reporting on the prior decision regarding the same. If you do reconsider, I believe the letter from Colorado's higher education leaders demonstrates that Colorado is the clear choice for the U.S. Space Command's headquarters. Their letter describes in detail how our state has developed the ideal ecosystem for maintaining the U.S. Space Command. As you know, Colorado is home to the nation's leading scientific laboratories and research institutions -- in fact, it has the highest concentration of federal research labs outside of the Washington D.C. area. Colorado also has the second-largest aerospace economy and an aerospace workforce that has grown by 30% over the last five years.
In short, Colorado's universities have been training and fostering a talented pool of aerospace engineers and scientists for decades. And as a former Regent of the University of Colorado system, I've seen first- hand the important work our universities do to grow and maintain a strong aerospace workforce. It is one of the many reasons why I believe Colorado remains the best place for this work to continue.
In sum, keeping the U.S. Space Command headquarters in Colorado's robust ecosystem of universities and research institutions will protect our national security and maintain a strong U.S. Space Command. I therefore ask that you give this letter your full and fair consideration, consistent with applicable statutes and regulations.


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