If you have orders to Peterson Space Force Base (SFB) or Schriever Space Force Base, you are heading to the eastern side of Colorado Springs — the prairie and plains side — home to some of the most mission-critical space operations in the U.S. military. This 2026 guide covers what to expect when you PCS (Permanent Change of Station) to Peterson or Schriever SFB: the mission, where to live, how housing pay works, schools, healthcare, and daily life in this corner of Colorado. Peterson and Schriever are the eastern anchors of the Colorado Springs military community. If you have orders to Fort Carson or the Air Force Academy, we have separate guides for those.
What and Where Are Peterson and Schriever Space Force Bases?
Peterson Space Force Base
Peterson SFB sits on the eastern edge of Colorado Springs, directly adjacent to Colorado Springs Airport. It is the headquarters of Space Operations Command, the U.S. Space Force major command responsible for commanding day-to-day space operations worldwide. Peterson is also home to Space Base Delta 1 (SBD 1), the garrison command that provides base support for four Space Force Deltas and more than 114 mission partners across 19 worldwide locations. The base sits at roughly 6,200 feet elevation, close enough to the mountains to see Pikes Peak clearly, but set firmly against the eastern plains.
Schriever Space Force Base
Schriever SFB is about 17 miles east of Peterson, deep into El Paso County's open prairie. Its mission centers on missile warning, space domain awareness, and command and control of more than 170 Department of Defense satellites — the systems that underpin GPS, military communications, and early-warning networks. In 2026, Schriever is undergoing significant investment, including a planned $250 million Space Force Operations Facility. If "SBD 1" or the "821st Space Base Group" appears on your orders, that is the garrison structure covering both bases, plus Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station and Thule Air Base in Greenland.
To see all Colorado installations in one place, start with our guide to what military bases are in Colorado.
Where to Live When PCSing to Peterson or Schriever SFB
The east side of Colorado Springs looks different from the west or south sides: open landscapes, prairie-style neighborhood footprints, and newer construction. Most families near Peterson and Schriever settle east of Interstate 25 or along the Powers Boulevard corridor. For how the other sides of Colorado Springs compare, see our companion posts on PCS to Fort Carson (south side) and PCS to the Air Force Academy (north side).
Approximate one-way drive times to Peterson SFB main gate. Schriever adds roughly 15–20 minutes from most locations. Times vary with traffic.
Central Colorado Springs
About 15 minutes from Peterson's gate, central Colorado Springs gives you the widest range of restaurants, shops, and amenities. Housing runs from older established neighborhoods to newer in-fill. A good pick if someone in your household works or attends school west of I-25.
Security-Widefield
Southeast of the city center, Security-Widefield is one of the most popular choices for Peterson and Schriever families. The commute to Peterson runs about 15 minutes, Schriever is reachable without a highway, and the area is affordable relative to the rest of the metro. Widefield School District 3 serves this area.
Fountain
About 20 minutes south of Peterson, Fountain is known mainly as the closest civilian community to Fort Carson — but it works well for Peterson or Schriever families willing to take Powers Boulevard north. Housing prices are among the lowest in the metro.
Falcon
Falcon is the community most naturally suited to Schriever. It sits along Highway 24 east of the city, about 20 minutes from Peterson and well under 30 to Schriever's gate. Newer construction, more square footage for the dollar, and a quieter feel characterize the area. Most of Falcon falls within Falcon School District 49, one of Colorado's fastest-growing districts.
Peyton
Farther east along Highway 24, Peyton is about 30 minutes from Peterson and close to Schriever. It appeals to families who want land and a small-town feel. A practical choice for service members assigned directly to Schriever.
Ellicott
Ellicott sits southeast of the city, about 30 minutes from Peterson with reasonable access to Schriever. It offers some of the metro's lowest prices for families who prioritize space and cost.
BAH and the Cost of Living Near Peterson and Schriever SFB
If you live off base, the military covers part of your housing costs through BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing), a monthly tax-free payment tied to your rank, dependent status, and duty station. Both Peterson and Schriever fall within the Colorado Springs Military Housing Area (MHA). Because rates change annually, use the official DoD BAH Rate Lookup at travel.dod.mil with your rank and ZIP code to find your exact figure.
For a sense of buying costs, the typical home value in Colorado Springs was about $447,000 as of April 2026, according to Zillow — a typical value, not a median sale price. Eastern communities like Falcon and Ellicott tend to run below that; central neighborhoods trend near or above it. As of the week of June 18, 2026, Freddie Mac reported the average 30-year fixed rate at 6.47 percent.
VA loans (home loans backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs) are widely used in this market. Read what are the benefits of a VA loan or our complete guide to buying your first home with a VA loan to get up to speed. For east-side listings and current pricing, ask Jason Anderson, a VeteranPCS agent in Colorado Springs, for current listings and prices.
Schools Near Peterson and Schriever SFB
Three main districts serve the eastern side of Colorado Springs.
Colorado Springs School District 11 covers much of the central city, with a wide range of choice and specialty programs. Doherty High School holds a Purple Star designation for support of military-connected students.
Falcon School District 49 covers 133 square miles of eastern El Paso County, including Falcon and Peyton. It is one of Colorado's fastest-growing districts, with multiple Purple Star schools — Falcon High School, Falcon Elementary School of Technology, and Meridian Ranch Elementary among them. Families in the Falcon and Peyton corridors will almost certainly land in District 49.
Widefield School District 3 serves the Security-Widefield area. Mesa Ridge High School holds a Purple Star designation.
