Branch: U.S. Space Force / U.S. Air Force (combined operations)
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado (El Paso County)
Installation Type: Space Force Station
Status: Active

Overview

Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station (CMSS), formerly Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, is located approximately 15 miles southwest of Colorado Springs, Colorado, tunneled into the granite of Cheyenne Mountain at approximately 6,500 feet elevation. Constructed between 1961 and 1966, it served as the operational home of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) during the Cold War and remains a critical national security facility. The complex is built inside massive caverns on shock-isolated platforms designed to withstand near-miss nuclear detonations. It was transferred to the U.S. Space Force and redesignated as a Space Force Station in 2021.

Mission & Units

• Primary Mission: Serve as an alternate command center and hardened facility for missile warning, space surveillance, and command and control functions for NORAD and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM); maintain continuity of operations capability.
• Major Units:
• 21st Space Wing (Air Force) — administrative authority (primary operations now at Peterson SFB)
• Space Delta 2 elements — space domain awareness
• NORAD and USNORTHCOM use the facility as an alternate command center
• Cheyenne Mountain Complex Operations
• Tenant Units: Various classified defense and intelligence community elements; tunnel operations and facility support personnel

Location & Access

• Nearest Major City: Colorado Springs, CO — approximately 15 miles northeast; Denver, CO — approximately 75 miles north
• Nearest Commercial Airport: Colorado Springs Airport (COS) — approximately 20 miles; Denver International Airport (DEN) — approximately 90 miles
• Gate Access: Extremely restricted — the facility is a controlled military installation with classified operations; access requires specific mission need, official orders, or escort authorization; not open to general base visitors; all personnel must pass through security checkpoints; CAC and additional authentication required

Population

• Active Duty Personnel: Approximately 800-1,500 (small operational cadre; primary staffing at Peterson SFB)
• Family Members: N/A — no on-site family housing; personnel are assigned to Peterson SFB or Schriever SFB and commute
• Civilian Employees: Approximately 200-600 (including contractor support)
• Total Installation Population: Not publicly available

Key Facilities

• Medical: No standalone medical facility inside the mountain; personnel rely on 10th Medical Group at the U.S. Air Force Academy or UCHealth/Penrose-St. Francis Health Services in Colorado Springs
• Commissary: No commissary at this installation; nearest commissary at Peterson SFB (approximately 15-20 miles)
• Exchange (PX/BX/NEX): No exchange at this installation; nearest BX at Peterson SFB
• Fitness & Recreation: Limited fitness facilities within the tunnel complex; personnel primarily use Peterson SFB or Schriever SFB recreational facilities
• Schools: No schools on installation; personnel families live off-base and use Colorado Springs area schools (Academy School District 20, Harrison District 2, or other local districts)
• Childcare: No childcare on installation; families use CDC facilities at Peterson SFB or commercial options in Colorado Springs
• Veterinary Services: No veterinary clinic on installation; nearest military vet clinic at Peterson SFB
• Legal Assistance / JAG: No dedicated JAG office at this station; legal assistance through the 21st Wing SJA at Peterson SFB

Housing

• On-Base Housing: No on-base housing at CMSS; personnel assigned here are typically also assigned to Peterson SFB or carry a BAH entitlement for Colorado Springs area
• Average Wait Time: N/A
• Off-Base Housing: Personnel live throughout Colorado Springs metro area; average rent for a 3-bedroom home approximately $1,700-$2,500/month; areas popular with military families include Fountain, Security-Widefield, Briargate, and Monument; home purchase prices above national average
• BAH Rate Reference: Check current BAH rates at the Defense Travel Management Office (DTMO) website.

PCS & Newcomer Info

• Sponsorship Program: Personnel assigned to CMSS typically in-process through Peterson SFB or Schriever SFB; contact gaining unit for sponsor assignment; CMSS operational assignments are specialized and may involve additional security in-processing
• In-Processing: Initial in-processing at Peterson SFB 21st Force Support Squadron; security clearance verification and facility access orientation required before beginning work at CMSS; timeline varies
• EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program): Managed through A&FRC at Peterson SFB; Colorado Springs metro area has strong healthcare and educational support resources for special needs family members

Local Area & Quality of Life

• Climate: High plains/mountain interface; mild four-season climate; warm dry summers (highs around 85-90 F), cold winters with regular snowfall; elevation (approx. 6,000-7,000 ft) requires acclimatization; sunny most of the year
• Cost of Living: Moderate to High — Colorado Springs is above the national average, particularly for housing; military-heavy community with many services catering to defense community
• Nearby Attractions: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark; Pikes Peak (14,115 ft) accessible by cog railway or road; Broadmoor Resort; Royal Gorge; Ski resorts (Breckenridge, Vail, Wolf Creek) within 1-2.5 hours; U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center
• Spouse Employment: Colorado Springs has a large defense and government contracting sector, healthcare (UCHealth, Centura, Penrose), technology, and education; UCCS (University of Colorado Colorado Springs) and Colorado College offer higher education; strong job market for military spouses given the large defense community

Contact & Resources

• Official Website: https://www.cheyennemountain.spaceforce.mil/ (or access through peterson.spaceforce.mil)
• Main Installation Phone: Not publicly listed (access requests through Peterson SFB / 21st Space Wing)
• MWR Website: Access MWR through Peterson SFB — https://www.petersonservices.com/
• ACS / Fleet & Family / Airman & Family Readiness: Airman and Family Readiness Center (A&FRC) at Peterson SFB — (719) 556-7004; CMSS-assigned personnel use Peterson SFB A&FRC services

Last updated: 2026-02-22
Sources: peterson.spaceforce.mil, NORAD/USNORTHCOM public affairs, U.S. Space Force public affairs, militaryinstallations.dod.mil, 21st Space Wing public affairs, Joseph L. Jordan, Attorney at Law