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Colorado is one of the fastest-growing states in the US in terms of population. The cost of living there is very much situationally dependent, with factors like exact location, career, and household size having a significant impact. It can be expensive.
Average Apartment Prices:
Median House Price:
Cost of Living
The cost of living in Colorado Springs, CO is 2.1% higher than the national average. Generally, housing in Colorado Springs is 10.1% more expensive than the national average, with rent falling between $1,139 - $2,032. You can expect to pay 2.5% more for groceries, 23.5% less for utilities, and 4.0% less for transportation.
Housing
Colorado Springs is experiencing tremendous growth. All five military installations in the Colorado Springs area have privatized their housing operations. Contact your government Housing Military Office, at your current base as soon as you know you are moving to Colorado Springs area. The government housing team will provide you with the latest information about privatized housing, details about the application process, and off-base housing options. The HMO will also update you on any base specific policies. For additional information, call 888-718-7234.
Tierra Vista can be reached at 719-597-7200.
The government housing representative can be reached at 719-556-7946.
Dorm Occupancy
Peterson SFB has a high occupancy rate. Please call or ask your sponsor to call at least three weeks before you arrive. The Dorm Manager and personnel can be reached at 719-556-3832.
School Tips for Parents
There is a lot of information on schools in the Colorado Springs area. The School Liaison Officer is available by calling 719-556-3152 or DSN 834-3152. Useful information and documents are available at https://21fss.com/school-liaison/.
Vehicle Registration, New Resident Requirements, Voting, and Driver's Licenses
Use https://www.elpasoco.com/ to learn about requirements to register your vehicle, estimate your vehicle registration cost, become a new resident, vote in Colorado, and much more! Or call 719-520-6243 to speak with a representative.
**If you register to vote at the El Paso DMV, you will revoke your current residence and will become a Colorado resident. If you don't want to change residency and wish to vote in your current state, please visit FVAP.gov.
Passports and Visas
Ensure member and/or dependents have the required passports and/or visa prior to final out-processing. Member and/or dependents are not allowed to final out-process without the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents. Members electing the accompanied tour will not be permitted to out-process without having the required passports/visas in hand for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
These actions are necessary to prevent unforeseen hardships for the military members and their families. Therefore, as the last reiteration, it is essential, members do not out-process without having the appropriate passports/visas for themselves (if applicable) and/or dependents.
21 FORCE SUPPORT MARKETING DEPARTMENT
"21 FSS Marketing Office offers fun stuff - all the things that help you keep your life in balance - Outdoor Recreation, Golf, Aquatics, Bowling, ITT, Aero Club (Rocky Mountain USAF Flight Training Center), The Club, and plenty of outstanding special events. To see what is available, visit the 21st Force Support Squadron website.
Living in Colorado opens up a spectrum of recreation unequaled anywhere else. It includes skiing and snowboarding at some of the world's premier resorts, rock climbing, ice climbing, hiking 14ers (mountain peaks 14,000 feet and higher in elevation), fishing, learn-to-swim programs, camping, whitewater rafting down the Arkansas River, snowmobiling, skydiving, snowshoeing, dog sledding, weekend trips to Aspen, Crested Butte, and Moab, Utah.
Our ITT offers awesome discounts on tickets to professional sports games - such as tickets to the Denver Broncos, Colorado Avalanche Hockey - and discounted tickets to concerts at the Pikes Peak Center and world-class entertainment, like the world-renowned Cirque du Soleil, at Colorado Springs World Arena.
And Peterson Space Force Base boasts the only full-service professional leisure travel office in Colorado specifically dedicated to travel discounts for the military. No other military installation in the Pikes Peak region has one. With its two full-time professional travel agents, Leisure Travel provides the best prices and awesome service, even while you travel.
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of War. Every installation has a special DSN number, and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is NOT necessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial 719-556-4555. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred.
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Space Base Delta 1 enables U.S. Space Force operations for 4 of the USSF Space Deltas and more than 114 other mission partners across 17 world-wide operating locations by providing integrated Base Operating Support, Combat Service Support, and Delta Staff Agency services.
Peterson Space Force Base is located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, at an altitude of 6,035 feet and shares runways with the Colorado Springs Airport. Space Base Delta 1, headquartered at Peterson SFB, supports 114 mission partners.
Peterson SFB traces its roots to the Colorado Springs Army Air Base, established on Apr. 28, 1942, at the Colorado Springs Municipal Airport, which had been in operation since 1926. The base renamed to Peterson Army Air Base, also known as Peterson Field, Dec. 13, 1942, in honor of the late 1st Lt. Edward J. Peterson.
On Dec. 31, 1945, shortly after the end of World War II, the Army inactivated the base returning the property to the city of Colorado Springs. In 1947, after the birth of the U.S. Air Force, the base reactivated from Sept. 29, 1947, to Jan. 15, 1948, and again from Sept. 22, 1948, into 1949.
The Air Force reactivated Peterson Field once more following the Jan. 1951 establishment of Air Defense Command at Ent AFB in Colorado Springs – now where the USA Olympic Training Center is located. The 4600th Air Base Group was designated as the 4600th Air Base Wing in 1958 and then predesignated as the 46th Aerospace Defense Wing April 1, 1975. On March 1, 1976, Peterson Field was renamed Peterson AFB.
1st Space Wing was activated Jan. 1, 1983, and the 46th Aerospace Defense Wing deactivated on Apr. 1, the same year. The 3rd Space Support Wing activated Oct. 15, 1986. These two wings deactivated May 15, 1992, and transferred to the newly activated 21st Space Wing.
On July 22, 2020, the 21st Space Wing was reorganized as part of Space Base Delta 1. Peterson AFB was renamed Peterson Space Force Base in July 2021.
Colorado Springs metro: 777,635 as of 2024; median household income is $90,760 as of 2024; Transportation to work Mean Travel Time is 24.8 minutes; median value of owner-occupied housing units is $487,900 as of 2024.
Peterson SFB is located adjacent to and east of Colorado Springs, El Paso County, Colorado, off U.S. Highway 24. Colorado Springs is the second largest city in Colorado and has a population of approximately 770,000+ people. Colorado Springs also hosts the United States Air Force Academy to the north, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Base to the west, Fort Carson Army Post to the South, and Schriever SFB to the east.
Have your personal credentials or primary base permit poised for inspection.
Every motor vehicle is strictly mandated to carry active vehicle licensing and valid insurance coverage within the glovebox at all times.
One may secure short-term entry passes at the Welcome/visitor center prior to entry at the West Gate.
Should you require further guidance, the reception office may be contacted by dialing 719-556-6660.
The Primary Portal itself is situated on the western flank of Peterson Space Force Base on Airport Road just off Powers Boulevard, operating continuously twenty-four hours a day.
Directions from Airport
The Municipal Airport of Colorado Springs lies to the south of the installation. Upon exiting the airport terminal, one should execute a right turn onto Powers Boulevard and proceed northbound for approximately six miles.
As you approach the newly constructed Diverging Diamond Interchange at Airport Road, filter into the far right lane to transition onto the exit ramp, bypassing the main overpass.
Bear right at the base of the ramp to merge onto Airport Road heading east, then negotiate a right turn at the subsequent signalized junction onto the dedicated approach road.
This access road leads directly to the West Gate, alternatively designated as the Main Gate, which operates continuously and welcomes arrivals at all hours of the day and night.
Please exercise due caution, as alternative entry points to the installation do not maintain continuous nocturnal operations; thus, utilize this primary gateway for all after-hours arrivals.
Transportation Options
Transportation from Colorado Springs Airport is available by POV, Rental Car (available at Airport), Uber, Lift or city taxi.
Entering Colorado Springs from the south via Interstate 25, exit onto Academy Boulevard and proceed right. Follow Academy Boulevard until you reach Fountain Boulevard, executing a right turn. Continue along Fountain Boulevard until it intersects with Powers Boulevard, making a left turn. Filter into the far right lane as you approach the newly constructed junction at Airport Road, exit onto the slip road, and merge right onto Airport Road to follow its winding path directly into the West Gate, which serves as the sole twenty-four-hour portal.
Entering Colorado Springs from the north via Interstate 25, exit onto Interquest Parkway. Follow this parkway until it intersects with Powers Boulevard (designated as Highway 21), and turn right. Continue southbound along Powers Boulevard; as you approach the Airport Road interchange, navigate the dedicated left-turn slip lanes of the new diverging interchange to cross over the highway onto Airport Road, following its path into the West Gate.
Should you approach from the east on Highway 24, execute a left turn onto Powers Boulevard. As you travel southbound, utilize the dedicated left-turn slip lanes at the new diverging interchange to cross onto Airport Road, following the winding approach directly into the West Gate.
Approaching from the west, follow the Highway 24 signage through the city center where it transitions into Platte Avenue. Proceed east along Platte Avenue, turning right onto Powers Boulevard. As you approach the Airport Road interchange, utilize the dedicated left turn slip lanes of the new diverging interchange to cross over onto Airport Road, winding directly into the West Gate.
Taxi service is provided on base for those needing transportation from work to an official appointment. To request this type of transportation, please call the dispatch desk at 719-556-4307.
COLORADO SPRINGS REGIONAL COMMAND POST — Emergency situations (non-medical) are handled on a continuous 24/7 basis. To establish immediate contact with the watch officer, personnel can dial 719-556-4555 or contact the duty operator via DSN 312-834-4555.
For information and referral services, you can visit Peterson SFB's Military & Family Readiness Center. Standard operating hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For telephone enquiries, the center can be reached directly at 719-556-6141.