Denver — Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper released the following statements welcoming the news that U.S. Space Command has reached Full Operational Capability (FOC). Army Gen. James Dickinson, U.S. Space Command commander, declared that Space Command had reached FOC following an in-depth evaluation of the command’s capabilities.  

“Colorado was selected as the rightful home for U.S. Space Command because of our state’s extensive space and national security assets and robust aerospace economy,” said Bennet. “In the face of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s saber-rattling worldwide, U.S. leadership in space is more critical than ever. Space Command is now at Full Operational Capability in Colorado Springs, and our national security is stronger as a result.” 

“Our entire state fought to keep Space Command in Colorado so we could achieve Full Operational Capability as quickly as humanly possible! The dedication of the service members and civilians at USSPACECOM made it happen and our country and the world will be safer for it,” said Hickenlooper.

Following the decision to move Space Command from Colorado, Bennet and Hickenlooper joined members of the Colorado congressional delegation, Colorado Governor Jared Polis, and local leaders to repeatedly urge President Joe Biden and numerous administration officials to account for critical national security implications in the Space Command basing process. Earlier this year, Bennet and Hickenlooper welcomed the Air Force's decision to permanently base U.S. Space Command at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.