Elected officials and business leaders from El Paso County and Colorado Springs on Monday afternoon hailed the Air Force’s decision to keep U.S. Space Command’s permanent headquarters in Colorado Springs as “great news” for the state and the nation’s security.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference held in downtown Colorado Springs, Mayor Yemi Mobolade said the decision that came more than two years after former President Donald Trump announced the command’s headquarters would move to Huntsville, Ala. was “an affirmation of what we already know: Colorado Springs is the home of space.”

He recalled how former Mayor John Suthers left him two letters the day Mobolade took office on June 6. One was a welcome letter. The other was a copy of a letter Suthers penned in March to Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, laying out his concerns that Trump’s decision to relocate Space Command headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville was a political move.

Space Command headquarters to stay in Colorado Springs, Air Force decides

Mobolade said Monday he came into office intending to continue collaborative efforts to keep Space Command local, which elected and business officials in Colorado Springs and El Paso County had taken up alongside lawmakers such as Republican U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn, Democratic U.S. Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and others in state government.

“Today marks the beginning of a next chapter for this city’s long and proud military history,” Mobolade said. “Colorado Springs will continue to rally around and support our service members, veterans and family members. … It is clear this final decision is in the best interest of our national security and is the most responsible use of taxpayer dollars.”

Suthers told reporters he was pleased to hear Monday’s news.

“If you would have asked me an hour and a half ago what my biggest disappointment was as mayor … I would have absolutely said President Trump’s decision to move Space Command to Huntsville, Ala.,” he said. “Imagine how pleased I am to be here today.”

There was speculation as to what Suthers and Sen. Bennet discussed with President Joe Biden May 31 on the tarmac at Peterson Space Force Base, the headquarters of Space Command, when the president arrived in town the evening ahead of his address at the Air Force Academy graduation.

On Monday, Suthers said he was “very relieved” that day to hear Biden was “focused on the right things” when it came to the decision, like Ukraine’s dependency on information from Space Command and how uprooting the command would disrupt other U.S. security interests.

Space Command: Its history and background

In a separate interview with The Gazette on Monday, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC’s Vice President of Defense Development, Jessie Kimber, said the decision will give defense contractors the surety they need to continue growing in a community renowned for its support of veterans, who often go to work contractors when they retire, she said.

Kimber, who worked on defense issues for Suthers when he was mayor, said she celebrated the decision with him Monday afternoon and noted Colorado lawmakers at every level have worked hard on this issue.

“We have been rowing hard on this for a very long time,” she said.

El Paso County Commissioner Longinos Gonzalez, an Air Force veteran whose district currently encompasses the Space Command headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base, said in another separate interview with The Gazette on Monday he was “ecstatic” about the decision.

The Pikes Peak region’s existing personnel, infrastructure and space-oriented community made it the “right place” for mission readiness, he said.

In a day of rising tensions with China in the air-space realm, Gonzalez said, “having to relocate bases could have negatively affected (readiness) because of the years it would take for Alabama to get fully operational.”

“We’re already doing that mission and can easily get up to full operational capability,” he said.

Gonzalez also noted the decision “in no way takes from the importance that Huntsville and Alabama have for our national security.”

Jim Lovewell, chief operating officer of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, hailed the bipartisan support leaders across Colorado Springs, El Paso County, the state capitol and in Washington, D.C. showed in keeping Space Command local.

“We rallied around this as something that was so important to national security and it was a beautiful thing to see,” Lovewell told reporters downtown. “… This is a big impact to our community and what it means in terms for the national defense supporting companies and to a lot of the other services that are here – this is a big infusion to our community.”

Cami Bremer, chairwoman of the Board of El Paso County Commissioners, also highlighted the collaborative efforts to keep Space Command local.

“We’ve pushed the limits and gone to new frontiers to create a place where businesses thrive, military communities are welcomed and governments work together to serve all,” she said.

Here are more thoughts from leaders across Colorado on the decision:

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade:

“Today’s announcement is an affirmation of what we already know. Colorado Springs is the home of space. Our city is now proud to be the permanent home of U.S. Space Command, and we are committed to its long-term success. It is clear this final decision is in the best interest of our national security and is the most responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

“I want to express our thanks to President (Joe) Biden and to our Colorado military delegation – Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, Congressmen Doug Lamborn and Jason Crow, Gov. Jared Polis, our El Paso County commissioners, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC and our defense industry leadership, along with former Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers – who joined together and advocated to keep this mission in our community.

“Today marks the beginning of the next chapter of our city’s long and proud military history and Colorado Springs will continue to rally around and support our service members, veterans, and their families.”

Cami Bremer, Chairwoman, Board of El Paso County Commissioners:

“Our regional community partners and elected officials have a long-standing tradition of being ‘team players’ with our national defense, and we’ve carried that forward in our support of the newest branch of the United States Armed Forces. Together we have pushed the limits and gone to new frontiers to create a place where businesses thrive, military communities are welcomed and governments work together to serve all. We are honored to welcome and reaffirm our commitment to those called to serve in the newest branch of the US military. Space Command, welcome home.”

Carrie Geitner, Board of El Paso County Commissioners:

“I am pleased with the decision to keep Space Command in Colorado Springs, with its strategic location, infrastructure and highly skilled workforce already in place to support the mission. I believe that maintaining Space Command in Colorado Springs will not only benefit our national security efforts but also contribute to the local economy and strengthen the existing partnerships with the military and aerospace industries.”

Holly Williams, Board of El Paso County Commissioners:

“The announcement to retain Space Command in Colorado Springs further validates the idea that El Paso County is a great place for our military families to live and work. This affirmation of the region’s ability to serve large infrastructure is key to bringing even greater opportunities to the area. As always, we will continue to work closely with our community partners and elected officials to provide the best future for our residents.”

Stan VanderWerf, Board of El Paso County Commissioners:

“I am absolutely thrilled with the decision to keep U.S. Space Command in its home in Colorado Springs. I am also pleased that the decision-makers recognized that keeping U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs is best for our nation’s taxpayers and security.

“This success is the result of the hard work of many organizations, elected officials and staff members. I’d like to thank the entire Colorado delegation including Congressman Doug Lamborn and Sens. (Michael) Bennett and (John) Hickenlooper as well as the city of Colorado Springs, El Paso County team and the (Colorado Springs) Chamber & EDC for their hard work and collaboration.”

Longinos Gonzalez, Board of El Paso County Commissioners:

“The decision to retain Space Command in Colorado Springs reflects a prioritization of national defense and is a testament to the strong partnerships and collaboration between the local community and the armed forces. We have a long-standing connection with our military family and are proud to support the men and women serving Space Command. While Alabama also has much to offer, Space Command belongs right here in Colorado Springs.”

Jessie Kimber, Vice President of Defense Development, Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC:

“As the epicenter of military space, Colorado Springs is thrilled to be named the permanent location of (U.S. Space Command), ending a multi-year selection process and resulting in the best decision for national security as our country faces growing security threats from China, Russia and other nations determined to challenge us in the space domain.

“As the current provisional home to (Space Command), Colorado Springs is the natural choice for its permanent basing with robust infrastructure in place and personnel already living in our community contributing to our region’s existing military space operations and rapidly expanding defense, space, aerospace and cybersecurity industries.

“We are grateful for the many partners across Colorado who worked tirelessly in support of the campaign to secure the permanent basing and advocate the importance of keeping (Space Command) in Colorado Springs and we look forward to continuing our role in supporting our country’s mission in space. We want to recognize the other regions that were working toward this same goal and acknowledge their devoted efforts in support of the Space Command mission throughout this process. We share the same passion, and the Colorado Springs region will work tirelessly with (Space Command) to protect our skies now and well into the future.”

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis:

“This is great news for Colorado and our national security – keeping U.S. Space Command in Colorado Springs is an exciting outcome for our state, military families, jobs and businesses. This thoughtful and correct decision guarantees operational success for decades to come and improves our national defense. I personally advocated for Space Command to remain in Colorado with the former president and current administration. I am grateful to the strong, bipartisan coalition of leaders from across Colorado who never wavered in our commitment to keeping Space Command in our state and national defense.

“Colorado’s unique aerospace strengths provide the innovation and commitment to service necessary to ensure our national security, especially during such a critical moment.

Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, co-chair of the Colorado Space Coalition:

“U.S. Space Command has flawlessly executed its mission in Colorado Springs since day one, and we celebrate the decision to keep U.S. Space Command in its rightful home, where reports show U.S. Space Command can achieve full operational capability faster and at a lower cost than anywhere else.”

Congressman Doug Lamborn, chairman of the House Armed Services Strategic Subcommittee:

“Colorado Springs has always been the legitimate home of U.S. Space Command’s headquarters, and I am delighted that today’s decision validates this fact. I commend the Biden administration for prioritizing national security above political interests and keeping (U.S. Space Command) in its rightful home at Peterson Air Force Base. This decision aligns with the best military advice of countless senior military leaders who all agree that Peterson Space Force Base is the most viable option for (Space Command) to reach full operational capability the fastest and is the best permanent home for its long-term operations.

“We live in dangerous times and we do not have the luxury of starting over with the headquarters in another location. National security is too critical to allow for any delays.

“China and Russia are developing their space capabilities at a rapid pace. It is essential that Space Command be best positioned to deter those threats today and in the near future. It is undeniable that this will be best done where the mission is taking place now and always has been, in Colorado Springs.

“… This is a win for the Pikes Peak region and the state of Colorado that further solidifies our status as the preeminent location for military space operations.”

The Gazette’s Mary Shinn contributed to this report.