As the Space Force prepares to double in size over the next five years, Schriever Space Force Base is preparing for growth, both inside and outside the gate.

The base near Colorado 94 east of town is already booming with more than 7,000 employees, counting contractors, and an economic impact of around $1 billion, said Col. Eric Bogue, commander of Space Base Delta 41, during a State of the Base event Thursday.

The delta provides garrison support, such as base security, administration and contracting, to Space Force guardians who are tasked with flying satellites, providing secure communications via satellites and defending satellites from cyberattacks, among other missions. 

Space Base Delta 41 marked its one-year anniversary Thursday, after taking on responsibilities from Space Base Delta 1, headquartered at Peterson Space Force Base. The guardians, airmen, civilians and their families celebrated with competitive games, such as basketball and a festival marking the anniversary of the delta and the 41st anniversary of the base.

At the same time, Bogue, along with other base officials, met with community leaders to outline broad plans for growth, along with recent wins and challenges. 

Schriever’s large workforce means the base is overcapacity, with some who work on operational floors sharing desk space, Bogue said.

A new Consolidated Space Operations Facility is under construction and will house those working for the National Space Defense Center, helping to meet the need, Bogue said.

In April, a Space Base Delta 41 spokesperson said it was expected to open in fiscal year 2028. 

Another new $250 million Space Operations Facility is proposed in the pending National Defense Authorization Act. 

The two buildings will be a great help, but won’t solve the need for full need for workspace, Bogue said, particularly as the service looks to grow. 

“Headquarters United States Space Force is tracking all of this,” he said, and military officials are working on a solution to make sure infrastructure is in place for growth. 

Housing for all the troops and civilian workers is largely provided off base, with only 200 homes at Schriever, he said, and the base is working on a study to help guide housing developers who want to build nearby. 

The study, the first of its kind for the Space Force, set out to examine what nearby development could pose a risk to the base and how that could be limited. The base is sensitive to risks such as electromagnetic and radio frequency interference and foreign actors engaging in surveillance.

There have been instances of spies living close to bases and engaging in espionage, Bogue said. 

“If it did happen, there could be significant impacts to how we conduct mission operations,” he said. 

The study that will guide development around the base is expected to be released in the fall, Bogue said. A preliminary version has already been completed and the Space Force is working through additional questions with the contractor. 

“We owe you —  the community —  and the developers’ data that informs decisions, so we can be responsible together,” he said.

Large housing developments, such as Flying Horse East, a 5,500-acre property, are proposed near Schriever. 

The water supplier for Schriever, the Cherokee Metropolitan District, expects to support the planned growth at the base, said Kevin Brown, general manager, but has a moratorium on expanding service to developments outside its district boundaries. Cherokee is one of the large water providers for developments east of the city. 

Cherokee has water already set for Schriever under current contracts that anticipated long-term growth, he said.

“If further water supplies are needed in the future, Cherokee is prepared to negotiate with Schriever for additional service to ensure the continued success of their critical mission,” Brown said in an email. 

Cherokee can meet its existing demand plus about 25%, he said. 

However, the district placed a moratorium on expanding its service area in June 2025 while the staff examines available water supply and works on a framework to evaluate new developments for inclusion, Brown said. The district wants to ensure any developments outside the service area pay for themselves.

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to correct the names of Space Base Delta 41 and Space Base Delta 1.