Polis names advisory committee for Colorado's U.S. Space Academy bid

Gov. Jared Polis announced an advisory committee, chaired by Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera, to support Colorado's bid to host the United States Space Academy.

The committee will provide feedback on Colorado's application and promote the state's strengths in space exploration, national security, research and workforce development. It brings together former astronauts, higher education leaders, retired senior military officers, and business and community leaders with experience in commercial, civil and national security space in Colorado and nationally. The committee is intended to demonstrate broad support for bringing the Academy to Colorado.

The committee's members include these university leaders:

• Rico Munn, executive vice chancellor and incoming chancellor of the Colorado State University System
• Todd Saliman, president of the University of Colorado
• Paul C. Johnson, Ph.D., president of Colorado School of Mines

Polis said bringing the academy to Colorado would open new doors for students and strengthen the workforce supporting 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," he said.

Colorado State University is supporting the proposal alongside Polis, Colorado Springs, other higher education institutions and economic development partners, Munn said. He said CSU's strengths in research, engineering and workforce development, together with its land-grant mission and statewide reach, position it to help prepare future leaders and innovators.

Colorado's bid has drawn support from the state's bipartisan congressional delegation, higher education leaders and aerospace businesses. Those backing it point to Colorado's research institutions, space installations and skilled workforce as a foundation for the Academy's success, the governor's office said.

U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper said other states would be starting from scratch while Colorado would not. "Other states would be starting from scratch. We're not," he said.

Hickenlooper said Colorado has the nation's largest space economy per capita and more Space Force Deltas than any other state.

U.S. Rep. Gabe Evans, whose district is CO-08, said Colorado would be a natural fit for the academy. He said he looked forward to supporting the state's efforts to make that case to the Trump administration.

U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, whose district is CO-02, said he was confident Colorado was up to the task. He said he looked forward to working with state and local leaders to make the case for bringing the Academy to Colorado.