Colorado legislators stop by Peterson

Published Feb. 21, 2008
By Corey Dahl
21st Space Wing Public Affairs

PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- A handful of Colorado state legislators traded the capitol's grounds for Peterson's flightline Feb. 19, stopping by the base for an educational field trip.

Nine state lawmakers, all members of the Colorado House's state, veteran and military affairs committee, spent the afternoon here learning about the missions of both Air Force Space Command and the 21st Space Wing. Wing leadership also gave the legislators a tour of the base, while talking about the support provided to Airmen and the goals and challenges the base faces in the years ahead.

Visiting Peterson helps the lawmakers understand what the base does, its interactions with the surrounding community and any situations that lawmakers may be able to help with, said Rep. Nancy Todd of Aurora.

"Seeing the economic impact the base has, how it interacts with the city, being able to see first hand what Peterson does - all of that increases our understanding and really helps when we're back at the legislature," she said.

Peterson is a big money maker for the city of Colorado Springs, with an estimated $1.2 billion annual economic impact. The retirees and dependents the base supports bring in an extra $360 million for the city and its businesses.

But as Colorado Springs continues to grow, Peterson will face new challenges in the years to come. Wing leadership is working on acquiring land to deal with encroachment, particularly from the 60,000-home Banning Lewis Ranch development that is slated to spring up to the east of the base within the next decade. Peterson is also working with the city to develop an interchange on increasingly busy Powers Boulevard, near the base's west gate.

The projects will require the base to work with state, city and federal officials, Col. Jay Raymond, 21st SW commander, told the lawmakers, something Peterson leadership has always been willing to do.

"Colorado Springs is a great military community," Colonel Raymond said. "We have a great working relationship with our city officials and representatives, and they've always been very receptive."

Rep. Karen Middleton of Aurora said Peterson's needs and goals will be on her mind when she returns to the legislature and considers bills this session. Visiting the base, she said, helps her visualize and better understand a bill's impact.

"It's very helpful to get the lay of the land," she said. "So when we're back at the legislature and a bill comes up, I know what they're talking about. It really helps you get perspective."

Meet and greet