--- title: What Military Bases are in Colorado? slug: what-military-bases-are-in-colorado description: >- All 7 Colorado military bases—Air Force Academy, Peterson & Buckley Space Force Bases, Fort Carson and more—plus PCS housing tips and veteran-friendly agents. publishedAt: '2022-09-20T14:35:24.000Z' updatedAt: '2026-10-11T00:00:00.000Z' author: VeteranPCS categories: - U.S. Military Bases canonical: 'https://www.veteranpcs.com/blog/what-military-bases-are-in-colorado' componentSlug: us-military-bases stateSlug: colorado --- # What Military Bases are in Colorado? Colorado is home to several **key military installations** that support the **U.S. Air Force, Space Force, Army, and national defense operations**. Whether you're **PCSing (Permanent Change of Station)** to Colorado or just curious about the military presence in the state, this guide provides a breakdown of **each base, its history, and its mission.** ### **List of Military Bases in Colorado:** - **United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)** - **Buckley Space Force Base** - **Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station** - **Fort Carson** - **Peterson Space Force Base** - **Pueblo Chemical Weapons Depot** - **Schriever Space Force Base** If you're preparing for a **PCS move to Colorado**, our **VeteranPCS agents and lenders** are here to help! ### Looking for Air Force Installations Only? Peterson, Schriever and Buckley were Air Force bases until 2021. Our guide to [Air Force bases in Colorado](/blog/air-force-bases-in-colorado) explains what changed, which units are at each installation, and the 2026 housing allowance in Colorado Springs and Denver. ## **1 United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)** **Location:** Colorado Springs, CO **Established:** April 1954 **Mission:** Train over 4,000 cadets to become **officers in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force** The **U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA)** plays a **critical role in officer training** for the **Air Force and Space Force**. Since its founding, it has produced **countless military leaders**, including **Medal of Honor recipient Capt. Lance Sijan**, a Vietnam War hero who became a **prisoner of war**. ### **Key Facts:** Covers **18,000+ acres** in Colorado Springs Home to **Air Education and Training Command** and **Space Training & Readiness Command** Popular **tourist attraction** with iconic architecture and a **cadet chapel** [**More info: USAFA Official Website**](https://www.usafa.edu/) ## **2 Buckley Space Force Base (SFB)** **Location:** Aurora, CO **Established:** Formerly Buckley Air Force Base, now a Space Force installation **Mission:** **Missile warning and space operations** Buckley SFB is home to **Space Base Delta 2 (SBD2)**, which provides **missile warning systems** that protect the **United States and its allies**. It also supports **90+ tenant units**, including: **Space Delta 4 (DEL 4) – Missile Warning Delta** **140th Air Wing – Colorado Air National Guard** **Navy Operational Support Center & Aerospace Data Facility-Colorado** The base supports a **joint force** of **3,500 active-duty service members**, **4,000 National Guard personnel**, and **tens of thousands of veterans and dependents**. It contributes **$1 billion annually** to the **local economy**. **More info: Buckley SFB Official Website** ## **3 Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station (CMSFS)** **Location:** Colorado Springs, CO **Operational Since:** **1967** **Mission:** **NORAD & USNORTHCOM Command Center** Built during the **Cold War**, Cheyenne Mountain is a **heavily fortified, underground military complex** designed to **withstand nuclear attacks**. It serves as the **Alternate Command Center for NORAD and U.S. Northern Command** and is used for **crew training and emergency operations**. [**More info: CMSFS Official Website**](https://www.norad.mil/) ## **4 Fort Carson – "The Mountain Post"** **Location:** Colorado Springs, CO **Established:** **1942 (WWII-era)** **Mission:** **U.S. Army training and operations** Named after **Gen. Kit Carson**, Fort Carson has a **longstanding history** of supporting **military readiness**. Soldiers stationed at Fort Carson often assist with: **Wildfire response in Colorado's national forests** **Search-and-rescue operations** **Community outreach (350+ events annually)** With **strong ties to local communities**, Fort Carson plays a **vital role** in both **state and national defense operations**. [**More info: Fort Carson Official Website**](https://www.carson.army.mil/) ## **5 Peterson Space Force Base (SFB)** **Location:** Colorado Springs, CO **Originally Established:** **1942 (as Peterson Army Air Base)** **Mission:** **Supports NORAD, U.S. Space Command, and Space Operations Command** Peterson SFB was originally **Peterson Army Air Base**, named after **1st Lt. Edward J. Peterson**, the first Colorado airman killed in **WWII**. The base has played a **pivotal role in air defense and space operations** since its inception. Today, it houses **Space Base Delta 1**, which supports **111 mission partners**, including: **U.S. Space Command** **Space Operations Command** **302nd Airlift Wing (Air Force Reserve Command)** **More info: Peterson SFB Official Website** ## **6 Pueblo Chemical Weapons Depot (PCD)** **Location:** Pueblo, CO **Established:** **1942** **Mission:** **Storage and destruction of chemical weapons stockpile** PCD is **one of only two remaining Army installations** in the U.S. that **store chemical weapons**. The site contains: **2,600 tons of mustard agent** **780,000 munitions** The **Program Executive Office for Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA)** oversees the **safe destruction of these weapons** through **neutralization and biotreatment methods**. **More info: PCD Official Website** ## **7 Schriever Space Force Base (SFB)** **Location:** Colorado Springs, CO **Originally Established:** **1983 (as Falcon Air Force Station)** **Mission:** **Satellite control and space operations** Schriever SFB is the **home of U.S. military satellite operations**, managing the **Air Force Satellite Control Network** and supporting the **Space Force’s global space defense missions**. In **1998**, the base was renamed in honor of **Gen. Bernard A. Schriever**, the "father of the U.S. Air Force's space and missile programs." **Supports 8,000 military & civilian personnel** **Contributes $1.3 billion to the Colorado Springs economy** **More info: Schriever SFB Official Website** ## **Moving to Colorado? We Can Help!** If you're **PCSing to Colorado** or **looking to buy a home near a military base**, our **VeteranPCS agents** and **lenders** are ready to assist you. **Find VA-friendly real estate agents** **Get help with VA Loans & military benefits** **Explore housing options near military installations** **Contact us today to get started!** **** **Written by:** _Sean Majer, VeteranPCS Agent_ ## Plan Your PCS to Colorado Most Colorado assignments land you in the Pikes Peak region, so our [Colorado Springs housing market update](/blog/colorado-springs-housing-market-update-october-2025) is a good place to gauge prices near Fort Carson, Peterson, and Schriever, and our look at [Percheron, a master-planned community near the Colorado bases](/blog/percheron-colorado-springs-master-planned-community-near-colorado-military-bases) shows one option families are choosing. If this is your first purchase, start with our [ten essential questions for first-time military home buyers](/blog/10-essential-questions-for-first-time-military-home-buyers) and our overview of [the benefits of a VA loan](/blog/what-are-the-benefits-of-a-va-loan), then keep the move on schedule with the [ultimate PCS checklist and timeline](/blog/the-ultimate-pcs-checklist-and-timeline-for-active-duty-military-personnel). When you are ready for a local read on a specific base or neighborhood, you can ask a VeteranPCS agent in Colorado Springs for current listings and prices. Know another family with orders to Colorado? Share this guide with your military network so they can plan their move with real numbers too.