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Buckley Space Force Base Guide

Kena Sosa & Michelle Nati

PCSing to Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado? This military base guide gives you a clear rundown of what to expect before you arrive, from housing and BAH to check-in steps and local schools. Whether you’re moving alone or with family, this guide helps you settle in with confidence.

Buckley Space Force Base Fast Facts

• Location: Aurora, Colorado
• Zip Code: 80011
• Branch: U.S. Space Force
• Main Mission/Notable units: Daily support for Mission Delta 4’s missile-warning mission; notable units include the 140th Air Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard
• Main Operator: 720-847-1110/312-847-1110
• Population: ~11,500
• Official Website: www.buckley.spaceforce.mil

Look up the BAH in your new duty location by searching for your zip code’s housing allowance using our BAH Calculator. You can also review our complete list of Military Bases by State.

Buckley Space Force Base Check-In & In-Processing

During normal duty hours, your initial stop is your Unit Command Support Staff (CSS), where you’ll begin in-processing and get pointed toward required appointments, including the Finance Office in Building 1030 for your travel voucher. Depending on when you arrive, you may complete your first round of base in-processing the same day or the next.

If you get in after duty hours, plan to check in with your unit CSS the next duty day. When a CSS isn’t available, the Military Personnel Section in Building 606 becomes your fallback check-in location.

Important Documents to Hand-Carry: 

• Multiple copies of PCS orders
• All essential identification documents, including military IDs, passports, Social Security cards, and any applicable marriage or birth certificates
• Medical and dental files for you, your dependents, and your pets, along with immunization records
• Legal paperwork, such as wills and Powers of Attorney
• Employment documents for family members, plus transcripts, licenses, or letters of recommendation they may need
• School records for children
• A full inventory of your household goods shipment and the layout you’ll use for unpacking
• Contact details for your gaining unit and the information provided by your sponsor
• Proof of any lodging reservations you’ve made on base or at an off-base hotel
• Vehicle paperwork, including titles, bills of sale, or anything related to registering a car, especially if it was purchased overseas
• Driver’s licenses, insurance documentation, and current registration. If you’re returning from an overseas tour, bring evidence of continuous insurance coverage from your previous provider.

Newcomers Briefing

All incoming Airmen attend a Newcomer’s Briefing hosted by the Airman & Family Readiness Center, and members from other branches are strongly encouraged to join as well. Your unit will schedule the appointment, and the session will provide an overview of Team Buckley, base-specific procedures, and available support programs.

Buckley Space Force Base Housing & Lodging

Housing on Buckley Space Force Base is privatized and managed by Hunt Companies, which operates single-family and townhome dwellings through the Buckley Family Housing community. Service members can choose to live on base by signing a lease directly with the housing partner, or they can explore rental and home-buying options in the surrounding Aurora area.

Reach out to the Military Housing Office as soon as your orders arrive so you can get added to the waitlist right away.

• Military Housing Office (MHO): 720-847-5815/5692
• Privatized Housing Partner: www.buckleyfamilyhousing.com

Off-Base Housing: Best Neighborhoods & Cities

Many service members and families live in the surrounding communities.

• Aurora: Buckley SFB is located in Aurora and therefore, offers the shortest commute along with plenty of housing options in newer developments and established neighborhoods.
• Centennial: A popular pick for families who want a quieter, suburban feel, Centennial sits about 15 miles from Buckley.
• Parker: Known for its small-town vibe, good schools, and walkable downtown, Parker is roughly an 18-mile drive to the base.

Look up the BAH in your new duty location by searching for your zip code’s housing allowance using our BAH Calculator. You can also review our complete list of Military Bases by State.

Temporary Lodging (TLF) & On-Base Inn

Looking for temporary accommodations at Buckley? Rocky Mountain Lodge is on base, at 345 S. Beaver Creek Street in Building 331. Try to book your stay well in advance, as rooms fill up quickly during busy PCS periods. If you’re traveling with pets, request a pet-friendly room early since availability is limited.

• Reservations: 720-847-5899/303-854-9600

Buckley Space Force Base BAH, Cost of Living, and Allowances

Your Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is based on your rank, dependent status, and the base’s zip code. The cost of living in Aurora, Colorado, is slightly higher than the national average.

-> See the 2025 BAH Rates for 80011 [Internal Link to your BAH Calculator]

Schools & Child Care Near Buckley Space Force Base

There are no schools on base, but Colorado allows Choice Enrollment, giving families the option to apply to schools outside their assigned district. The closest districts to Buckley SFB are Aurora Public Schools, Douglas County, Denver Public Schools, and Cherry Creek Schools. Families living in Buckley’s privatized housing are part of Aurora Public Schools, with Mosley P–8 and Vista Peak Preparatory as the zoned schools.

The School Liaison Office (SLO) is your main resource for information you’ll need regarding school registration, transfers, and local education options.

• School Liaison Office: 720-847-6694

Child Development Centers (CDC)

Buckley SFB offers two Child Development Centers that provide care for children from 6 weeks old through kindergarten age. A-Basin CDC has space for 170 children, while Crested Butte CDC can accommodate 233. Both centers operate from 6:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m., Monday through Friday, and follow the same program structure. Waitlists are common, and families register through MilitaryChildCare.com. Family Child Care (FCC) homes are also available on base.

Key Contacts: Buckley Space Force Base Directory

• Base Operator: 720-847-1110/312-847-1110
• Housing Office (MHO): 720-847-5815/5692
• Privatized Housing: 720- 907-1070
• Temporary Lodging (Inn): 720-847-5899/303-854-9600
• In-Processing/Welcome Center: 720-847-9381
• School Liaison Office: 720-847-6694
• CDC Registration: MilitaryChildCare.com
• Medical Clinic/TRICARE: 719-526-2273
• Public Affairs Office: 720-847-9226

Look up the BAH in your new duty location by searching for your zip code’s housing allowance using our BAH Calculator. You can also review our complete list of Military Bases by State.

Base Mission and Units

As the host unit at Buckley, Space Base Delta 2 (SBD2) offers day-to-day support for Space Delta 4’s missile-warning mission. Buckley SFB and DEL 4 directly support Combatant Commands worldwide, making the base a key part of the broader defense network.

Buckley is also home to more than 100 tenant units, including the 140th Air Wing of the Colorado Air National Guard and the Aerospace Data Facility–Colorado.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Buckley Space Force Base

What is Buckley Space Force Base best known for?

Buckley Space Force Base is most well known for its role in missile warning operations. Its host unit, Space Base Delta 2, supports the mission of Space Delta 4, which provides global missile warning capabilities to Combatant Commands internationally.

What is Buckley Space Force Base’s zip code?

Parts of Aurora share the zip code 80011 with Buckley Space Force Base.

Can civilians visit Buckley Space Force Base?

Buckley Space Force Base requires all visitors to obtain a base pass, even when traveling with a military ID card holder. Come to the Visitor Control Center during regular operating hours, Monday to Friday, to avoid delays in processing.

What is the closest major airport to Buckley Space Force Base?

Denver International Airport is the closest major airport to Buckley Space Force Base.

Related: Disabled Veteran Benefits Guide

PCSing to Colorado

If you are relocating to Colorado in a permanent change of station move, know that you’ll typically be required to check in with the base housing office at your new assignment before entering into any legally binding housing agreement off-post.

It’s also worth remembering that in a larger military community like Colorado Springs’s, healthcare may involve longer wait times due to higher demand in military clinics.

There are many military bases in and around Colorado Springs, so newcomers have multiple options depending on which base they are assigned to. You can look for veterans’ benefits in Colorado before you arrive to see what programs and services are available to you.

Army Bases in Colorado

• Fort Carson
• USAREC, Denver Battalion

Space Force Bases in Colorado

• Buckley Space Force Base
• Cheyenne Mountain Complex
• Peterson SFB
• Schriever SFB
• USAF Academy

Get more info on VA benefits for veterans, retirees, separating service members, spouses, dependents, and disabled veterans. Learn more about the GI Bill and Yellow Ribbon program, monthly housing allowances, VA loans, and TRICARE.

Did you know? The State of Colorado can help you file claims with the Department of Veterans Affairs. Contact a county regional office near you to learn how to get professional assistance from a veteran service officer filing VA disability claims or applying for other VA benefits. Learn more.

Colorado Guard and Reserve Tuition Assistance

The State of Colorado offers tuition assistance to qualifying Guard and Reserve members who serve in the state. The Colorado state Tuition Assistance Program “awards up to 100% of tuition” and cannot exceed $5000 in benefits per semester.

Colorado VA Healthcare Centers

Academy VA Clinic

4102 Pinion Drive
Suite 1552
USAF Academy, CO 80840-2502
719-333-1507

Valor Point VA Domiciliary

7350 West Eastman Place
Lakewood, CO 80227-5006
720-376-6100

Golden VA Clinic

1020 Johnson Road
Golden, CO 80401-6002
303-914-2680
Mental health: 303-914-2680

Salida VA Clinic

920 Rush Drive
Salida, CO 81201-9669
719-539-8666

York Street VA Clinic

3836 York Street
Community Resource & Referral Center (CRRC)
Denver, CO 80205-3540
303-294-5600

VA Benefits Offices in Colorado

Denver VA Regional Benefit Office

155 Van Gordon Street
Lakewood, CO 80228
800-827-1000

VA Regional Benefit Satellite Office at PFC Floyd K. Lindstrom VA Clinic

3141 Centennial Blvd
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
719-327-5660

Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) at Fort Carson

This facility is for Active Duty members only.

1626 O’Connell Blvd.
Building 813
FT Carson, CO 80913
800-827-1280

VA Cemeteries in Colorado

Fort Logan National Cemetery

4400 W Kenyon Ave
Denver, CO 80236
303-761-0117

Colorado VA Vet Centers

Denver Vet Center

7465 East First Avenue
Suite B
Denver, CO 80230
303-326-0645

Look up the BAH in your new duty location by searching for your zip code’s housing allowance using our BAH Calculator. You can also review our complete list of Military Bases by State.