Colorado: Governor Polis Announces Advisory Committee for Bid to Host the U.S. Space Academy

DENVER — Today, Governor Jared Polis announced an advisory committee to support Colorado's bid to host the United States Space Academy (USSA). Building on the state's recent announcement of its intention to bid on the Academy, the committee will bring together leaders committed to showcasing Colorado's strengths as the home for the next generation of American space leaders.

"Colorado is the best place for the next generation of astronauts, scientists, engineers, and space entrepreneurs. Bringing the U.S. Space Academy here would open new doors for students and strengthen the workforce powering America's future in space. I'm grateful to the advisory committee members and leaders for coming together to help ensure Colorado submits the most stellar proposal possible," said Governor Polis.

"Coloradans across our state share a passion for space. It's woven into our identity. Colorado is already home to an unrivaled space ecosystem, including world-class universities and cutting edge research laboratories, leading aerospace companies, critical military installations and units, and a workforce that has helped power America's space missions for decades. I'm proud to chair this advisory committee and show why Colorado is the best place for the U.S. Space Academy," said Lt. Governor Primavera.

Chaired by Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera, the advisory committee brings together former astronauts, higher education leaders, retired senior military officers, and business and community leaders with extensive experience across commercial, civil, and national security space, both in Colorado and nationally. The committee will provide feedback on Colorado's application and champion the state's strengths in space exploration, national security, research, and workforce development, demonstrating broad support for bringing the Academy to Colorado.

The advisory committee will include:

• Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, Advisory Council Chair
• Christian P. Anschutz, Managing Director, Western Development Group
• General Kevin Chilton, Retired U.S. Air Force General; former NASA astronaut
• Michael Coors, CEO, CoorsTek; Trustee, Colorado School of Mines
• Dr. Marielena DeSanctis, Chancellor, Colorado Community College System
• Hon.Tony Exum, Sr., Colorado State Senator
• Hon. Cory Gardner, former U.S. Senator
• Kyle Hybl, President & CEO, El Pomar Foundation; Chairman Emeritus, University of Colorado System; Chairman Emeritus, National Cybersecurity Center; Chair, Colorado Thirty Group
• Dan Jablonsky, CEO, Sierra Space
• Paul C. Johnson, Ph.D., President, Colorado School of Mines
• Hon. Paul Lundeen, Colorado State Senator
• Hon. Yemi Mobolade, Mayor, City of Colorado Springs
• Rico Munn, J.D., Executive Vice Chancellor & incoming Chancellor, Colorado State University System
• Rob Painter, President & CEO, Trimble Todd Saliman, President, University of Colorado Blake Scholl, Founder & CEO, Boom Supersonic
• Dr. Ron Sega, Retired U.S. Air Force Major General; former NASA astronaut; former Vice President for Energy and the Environment, Colorado State University; Co-Chair, Colorado Space Coalition
• George Sparks, President & CEO, Denver Museum of Nature & Science; former Air Force pilot and Assistant Professor of Aeronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy
• Lee Steinke, COO, CisLunar Industries; Chair, Colorado Space Business Roundtable

Colorado's bid has also drawn support from the state's bipartisan congressional delegation, higher education leaders, and aerospace businesses, who point to Colorado's research institutions, space installations, and skilled workforce as a strong foundation for the Academy's success.

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Here is what Colorado leaders are saying:

"Colorado's world-class aerospace industry, top tier universities, and critical space installations make our state uniquely qualified to host the new Space Academy," said U.S. Senator Michael Bennet. "As China and Russia race to eclipse our leadership in space, training the next generation of space professionals is of the utmost importance. There is no better place to do so than in Colorado."

"If the administration is determined to build a U.S. Space Academy, there is no question it should be based in Colorado. Other states would be starting from scratch. We're not," said U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper. "We're home to leading universities, the nation's largest space economy per capita, and more Space Force Deltas than any other state. When it comes to training tomorrow's space leaders, Colorado has already shown there's nowhere better."

"Colorado is already a hub for aerospace innovation, space weather forecasting, and scientific research, with people across our state making groundbreaking advancements that will shape the next frontier of this industry. Our world-class universities and research institutions, along with the students and researchers who power them, make Colorado well-equipped to welcome the United States Space Academy. I'm confident we're up to the task and look forward to working with state and local leaders to make the case for bringing the Academy to Colorado," said U.S. Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-02).

"Colorado has the talent, institutions, and innovative spirit to lead the next generation of American space exploration. From our world-class aerospace industry and military installations to our universities, community colleges, and skilled workforce, we have the foundation to make the United States Space Academy a success. Bringing the Academy to Colorado would strengthen our national security, create new opportunities for students and workers across our state, and help ensure America remains the global leader in space. This is an opportunity for Colorado to come together, across party lines and across regions, to advance a mission that benefits our entire country. I strongly support Colorado's bid and look forward to working with state, local, and federal partners to bring the Academy here," said U.S. Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03).

"I'm proud to support Colorado's bid for the United States Space Academy. It would create high-quality jobs, strengthen our Space Force pipeline, and build on the Air Force Academy and existing space military installations already here. This is a smart step for Colorado's economy and America's national security, and I'll keep working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the Trump Administration to advance it," said U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert (CO-04).

"Colorado Springs has been the cornerstone of America's national security space mission for decades," said U.S. Representative Jeff Crank (CO-05). "With the combination of our space assets, academic institutions and skilled workforce, the U.S. Space Academy is a natural fit for our community."

"Colorado has a strong space tradition rooted in our workforce, universities, and installations like Buckley Space Force Base. Establishing the Space Force Academy in Colorado would offer future cadets unparalleled access to our state's leading aerospace ecosystem, providing world-class training opportunities. Our state is the perfect place for future Guardians, leaders in the aerospace industry, and NASA employees as they help make sure America remains a leader in space," said U.S. Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06).

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"Colorado has always stood at the forefront of space innovation, which is why there is no better place to house NASA's new Space Academy. Our state is home to leading aerospace innovators and cutting-edge research institutions like the Colorado School of Mines, CU Boulder, and UCCS. Coloradans have been at the heart of NASA's work, including the most recent Artemis mission to the Moon," said U.S. Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (CO-07). "Colorado has already laid the groundwork to support the next generation of astronauts, engineers, and scientists. With Colorado's aerospace industry growing by 88% in the past two decades, our state is perfectly positioned to be home to NASA's Space Academy."

"Colorado has long been the heart and soul of America's leadership in space. Our state is blessed with innovative companies and a talented workforce ready to continue building our future beyond low earth orbit. Colorado would be a natural fit for the United States Space Academy, and I look forward to supporting the state's efforts to make that case to the Trump administration," said U.S. Congressman Gabe Evans (CO-08).

"Colorado State University is proud to stand alongside Governor Polis, the City of Colorado Springs, our fellow higher education institutions, and economic development partners in support of the proposal to bring the United States Space Academy to Colorado. With our strengths in cutting-edge research, engineering, and workforce development, combined with our land-grant mission and statewide reach, CSU is uniquely positioned to help prepare the next generation of leaders and innovators. Colorado has the talent, educational excellence, and spirit of collaboration to help shape the future of space exploration, and we are excited to be part of that effort," said Colorado State University Executive Vice Chancellor Rico Munn.

"Colorado is uniquely positioned to help shape the future of American space leadership, bringing together a distinct concentration of aerospace companies, technical talent and leading research universities. At Colorado School of Mines, we see that connection firsthand, with more of our graduates entering the aerospace industry than any other sector, reflecting both the strength of Colorado's aerospace ecosystem and the critical role our graduates play in advancing it. We are proud to stand alongside our state partners in supporting Colorado's application to host the United States Space Academy and believe our state offers an exceptional environment for developing the talent, technologies and leadership this industry demands," said Colorado School of Mines President Paul C. Johnson

"Colorado knows how to educate our United States Space Force Guardians. We've been doing it for decades. Long before the Space Force was born, the U.S. Air Force Academy was shaping the officers who would later become the first Guardians. Our world-class research universities educated those who built our legendary space defense industrial base, which is in turn powered by the skilled graduates of our strong community college system. With multiple Space Force installations, Colorado has long been the center of America's national security space mission. No other state is better equipped for this challenge," said Lee Steinke, COO at CisLunar Industries and Chair of the Colorado Space Business Roundtable.

"I am very excited to see Colorado bid to be the home of the U.S Space Academy and think our state provides the ideal location. Having successfully scaled 4 space companies in Colorado over the last 20 years, I can attest to the unique blend of talent, government, supplier and customer base that facilitates innovation for the national security, science, exploration and commercial space sectors. I cannot think of a better place for the Academy to draw and train the future generations of our space leaders," said Agile Space Industries CEO Chris Pearson.

"Colorado is the clear choice for the U.S. Space Academy. The state brings together leading universities, military installations, research institutions, and a thriving commercial space industry - an unmatched environment to prepare the next generation of space leaders. ThinkOrbital could have located anywhere on the planet. Colorado's talent, infrastructure, and space community made this the place to build our future," Colonel Lee Rosen, US Air Force (Ret.), Co-Founder and CEO of ThinkOrbital.

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