COLORADO SPRINGS — Today, Governor Jared Polis joined state aerospace, higher education, and business leaders to launch Colorado’s proposal for hosting the permanent location of the proposed United States Space Academy (USSA) in Colorado Springs. The Polis-Primavera Administration has designated the Colorado Space Coalition (CSC) as the Responding Entity to coordinate and prepare a formal response to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Request for Information on behalf of the State of Colorado, the first step in making the case for Colorado as the Academy's permanent home.
“Colorado has the talent, innovation, and aerospace expertise to train the next generation of American space leaders, and we are a mile closer to space. From our world-class universities and research institutions to our leading aerospace companies developing next generation space technologies, Colorado is uniquely qualified to provide future Space Academy students the education, hands-on experience, leading to good paying, life-long careers that the space industry needs. Hosting the United States Space Academy would build on that foundation, create new opportunities, and ensure America remains on the cutting edge of the final frontier. Colorado is ready,” said Governor Polis.
“Colorado is home to an unparalleled aerospace ecosystem, including military installations, research centers, universities with top-ranked aerospace programs, and leading aerospace companies, along with Coloradans who share a genuine passion for space. No other state can match it. Hosting the United States Space Academy would be the next chapter in a story Colorado has been writing for generations and is the best option for the future of the space workforce, NASA, and our country,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera.
The effort follows an August 2026 Executive Order (EO) directing federal efforts to establish the USSA, a proposed institution focused on preparing future leaders in space science, engineering, technology, and public service. Following the EO, NASA issued a Request for Information inviting states to outline how each could support the Academy’s establishment as well as interim-and long-term operations.
The Polis-Primavera Administration has been working in partnership with the CSC to identify qualified sites across the state, and is now advancing the bid located in Colorado Springs. The CSC brings together aerospace companies, institutions of higher education, economic development organizations, and other partners to promote Colorado’s aerospace industry and strengthen the state’s position as a national leader in space innovation. The effort also brings together statewide stakeholders representing areas of expertise and critical infrastructure for the Academy's campus and curriculum needs, including the University of Colorado, Colorado State University, Colorado School of Mines, and the Colorado Community College System; the City of Colorado Springs, El Paso County and the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC; and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), and the Colorado Department of Military and Veteran Affairs (DMVA), among others.
The four higher education systems will launch an integrated educational partnership focused on human spaceflight that prepares students to explore, operate, and lead in space. This will build a common foundation that progresses students through connected pathways supported by partner faculty, specialized laboratories, and industry projects.
Colorado Springs has strengthened its position as a national aerospace and defense hub through business recruitment, workforce development, and industry partnerships, including the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC’s Aerospace & Defense Council. These regional efforts complement OEDIT’s statewide work to attract aerospace investment, support business growth, and strengthen Colorado’s workforce, building on the state’s expertise, talent, and research capabilities to support the Academy’s mission.
Colorado is home to an unparalleled aerospace ecosystem supported by a thriving industry, a highly skilled workforce, leading research institutions, and a strong federal and military presence. Colorado’s aerospace industry ranks #1 per capita in aerospace employment, supports over 2,000 aerospace businesses, and employs over 55,000 jobs directly and another 184,000 indirectly. Under the Polis-Primavera administration, Colorado has strengthened this foundation through its selection as a NASA Aerospace Workforce Hub, supporting aerospace employers, and expanding pathways to good-paying careers.
Colorado will submit its response to NASA’s Request for Information by November 16, 2026. The RFI seeks information from interested states on proposed locations for a permanent campus, the availability of infrastructure and supporting resources, opportunities to begin instruction for approximately 300 students in 2028, and estimated costs and partnerships to support the Academy's establishment. NASA anticipates breaking ground on a permanent campus by 2027, with the facility expected to begin operations in 2031. Colorado's response will highlight the state's unparalleled ecosystem, existing aerospace infrastructure, workforce development efforts, research institutions, and partnerships that uniquely position Colorado to support the Academy's mission.