Colorado lawmakers again urge Biden to keep SPACECOM in Colorado Springs

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is yet another reason U.S. Space Command should not be moved from Colorado Springs, CO, to Huntsville, AL, Colorado's congressional delegation told President Biden in a letter released today.

The unprovoked attack on Ukraine paired with Russia’s demonstration of anti-satellite weapons in November -- which created debris that threatened the safety of astronauts aboard the International Space Station -- show the need for the U.S. to maintain dominance in space, according to the letter, which was signed by all seven representatives and both senators from Colorado.

"Especially in light of instability in Eastern Europe, Iran's quest for nuclearization, and China's lingering desire to strong-arm Taiwan, it's imperative that U.S. Space Command continue its critical mission without interruption,” Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) said in a separate statement.

Colorado’s Republican and Democrat members of Congress have opposed SPACECOM’s move to Alabama since it was announced by the Air Force last January.

SPACECOM announced it reached initial operational capability in August.

“We remain concerned that moving the combatant command headquarters will slow the progress toward full capability -- a delay we cannot afford at this fraught geopolitical moment in history,” the delegation stated in the letter to Biden.

The Government Accountability Office and Defense Department inspector general are both separately reviewing the selection of Huntsville as the permanent headquarters for SPACECOM. Lamborn requested the GAO review saying there were concerns that then-President Trump exerted “untoward political influence” on the Air Force during the decision-making process.