Moving to Peterson Air Force Base – Colorado Springs?

Peterson Air Force Base is located on what used to be Colorado Springs’ East Side – south of Platte Avenue (Hwy 24) and East of Powers Blvd.

The Base was established in 1942, at the Colorado Springs Airport as Colorado Springs Army Air Base. In August of the same year, the Base was officially renamed to Peterson Army Air Base, yet most commonly, it was called Peterson Field.  It was deactivated by the Army in 1945 and turned over to the city of Colorado Springs. It was briefly reactivated, from 1947 to 1948. In 1951, after the official “birth” of the United States Air Force – Peterson Field was once again, reactivated and in 1976 it was renamed to Peterson Air Force Base. In 1982 the Air Force Space Command was activated on Peterson Air Force Base, to be joined by the 1^st Space Wing in 1983. In 1992 the 21^st Space Wing took over responsibilities on Peterson Air Force Base.

Peterson is a “town within a town”. It offers almost anything you would expect to find in a small town – a post office – offering complete services,  on post housing, a BX (Base Exchange – Store), a Commissary (Grocery Store) – with a new Commissary to be completed in June, on the East Side of Peterson Air Base. For recreation purposed you can find a fitness and sport center with a running tracks and basketball courts, a climbing wall, tennis, handball and racquetball courts.  An aquatic center is open year round, like the bowling and auto skills center.  An on Post Library, a Clinic and a Dental Clinic are available, as well as a Childcare Center  and/or in home childcare for the youngest family members. An 18 hole golf course and outdoor recreation program take advantage of our Colorado weather. A Family, a Community and a Youth Center offer programs for everyone.

Peterson Air Force Base also  offers clubs and groups for spouses and family members, including a Spouses Club, a Lunch Bunch Meeting, a new Adventures Club, Stamping and Scrapbook, Moms & Tots, a Bunco Group, a Book club, a Mahjong Club, a Quilting Group and a Gourmet Group. A Credit Union, Bank and the American Red Cross, Thrift Store, Base Chapel and Museum are also available.

FYI: If you are moving to Peterson and are bringing a vehicle – remember – it must be registered on base within the first 72 hours after arrival. Also be conscious of the altitude you are moving up to – take it easy for the first couple of weeks and drink plenty of water, you will be residing above 6000 feet.  Aside from that – Welcome to Colorado Springs!