Branch: U.S. Space Force
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Installation Type: Space Force Base
Status: Active

Overview

Peterson Space Force Base, formerly Peterson Air Force Base, was established in 1942 and was redesignated a Space Force Base in 2021 following the activation of U.S. Space Command at the installation. Located adjacent to Colorado Springs, Colorado, Peterson SFB shares a runway with Colorado Springs Airport and serves as one of the most operationally significant Space Force installations in the nation. It is home to Space Operations Command (SpOC), the field command responsible for organizing, training, and equipping Space Force Guardians for operational missions.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Serve as headquarters for Space Operations Command and provide installation support for Space Force and joint commands focused on space superiority, missile warning, and space control.
• Major Units:
• Space Operations Command (SpOC) — field command headquarters
• 21st Space Wing (now reorganized under Space Force structure as Space Base Delta 1)
• Space Base Delta 1 (host delta for Peterson and Schriever SFBs and Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station)
• U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) — co-located at Peterson
• North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) — command element co-located at Peterson
• Tenant Units: Air Force Reserve Command elements, Army Space and Missile Defense Command, Defense Intelligence Agency elements, various joint and coalition partners

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Colorado Springs, CO — adjacent; Denver, CO — approximately 70 miles north
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Colorado Springs Airport (COS) — shares the airfield with Peterson SFB; terminal is less than 2 miles from the main gate
• Gate Access: Multiple gates; main gate open 24/7. Visitor Control Center processes civilian guests with valid government-issued photo ID. CAC required for unescorted access. Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station (CMSFS) is a separate, more restricted installation southwest of Colorado Springs.

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 7,000-9,000 (Space Force Guardians, Air Force, and joint service members)
• Family Members: Approximately 10,000-14,000
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 3,000-5,000
• Total Installation Population: Approximately 25,000+ across the Peterson-Schriever complex

Key Facilities

• Medical: Carney Clinic (primary care on base); complex care referred to Evans Army Community Hospital at Fort Carson or Tricare network providers in Colorado Springs; UCHealth and Centura Health systems serve the area
• Commissary: Yes — full-service commissary on base
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): Yes — BX main store with food court, optical shop, and specialty retail
• Fitness & Recreation: Skelton Memorial Fitness Center, outdoor recreation center, indoor and outdoor pools, golf course (Pine Valley Golf Course), bowling center, auto skills center, Peterson Club (dining facility)
• Schools: Academy School District 20 and Colorado Springs School District 11 serve most dependent children; strong school options in the area given Colorado Springs’ large military population; no DoDEA school at Peterson
• Childcare: Child Development Center (CDC) on base; high demand and waitlists are common; School Age Program available; Colorado Springs has multiple off-base licensed childcare providers who participate in the fee assistance program
• Veterinary Services: Peterson SFB Veterinary Treatment Facility — routine wellness care, vaccinations, and preventive services for military working dogs and eligible privately-owned pets
• Legal Assistance / JAG: Legal office on base — wills, powers of attorney, notary services, legal assistance; appointment required for most services

Housing

• On-Base Housing: Managed by Balfour Beatty Communities; multiple neighborhoods including Venetian Village and Norwood; mix of older and updated units; demand is high given the large military population in Colorado Springs
• Average Wait Time: Waitlists exist, particularly for junior enlisted families; timing varies by rank and unit; many members live off base
• Off-Base Housing: Colorado Springs neighborhoods of Falcon, Fountain, Security-Widefield, and Powers Corridor are popular; average rent for a 3-bedroom home ranges approximately $1,800-$2,500/month (2024 estimates); the Colorado Springs market has been competitive in recent years
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Sponsors assigned through gaining unit or Space Delta; contact the gaining unit’s leadership prior to PCS to coordinate a sponsor
• In-Processing: Report to the Space Base Delta 1 in-processing center; process covers finance, medical, housing, and unit check-in; Space Force Guardians may have additional Space Force-specific steps
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through the Airman & Family Readiness Center; enrollment required before PCS orders are finalized; Colorado Springs has extensive medical and special education resources, including Children’s Hospital Colorado South Campus

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: Semi-arid highland (BSk/Dfa boundary); mild to warm summers with afternoon thunderstorms; cold winters with moderate snowfall; low humidity; abundant sunshine year-round; occasional Chinook winds
• Cost of Living: Moderate to moderately high — Colorado has a state income tax; housing costs have risen significantly due to population growth; overall cost of living is moderate but above the national average for some categories
• Nearby Attractions: Pikes Peak (14,115 ft — accessible via cog railway or road), Garden of the Gods, U.S. Air Force Academy, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Royal Gorge, ski resorts (Breckenridge, Vail, Telluride — within 2-3 hours), Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
• Spouse Employment: Colorado Springs has a large defense-sector economy and growing tech industry; healthcare and education sectors also employ many military spouses; remote work opportunities are increasing; A&FRC and Military Spouse Employment Partnership resources available

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.peterson.spaceforce.mil/
• Main Installation Phone: (719) 556-7321
• MWR Website: https://www.petersonafbservices.com/ (confirm current URL with installation)
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman & Family Readiness Center (A&FRC), Space Base Delta 1 — (719) 556-6141

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: peterson.spaceforce.mil, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, Space Operations Command public affairs, public DoD records; Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law