In an effort to boost tourism, Littleton will this fall display a 146-foot-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 first-stage Rocket Booster. The free attraction, which would be the third of its kind in the country, can be seen on the DISH Network corporate office campus on Bowles and Santa Fe.

Cantey Ergen, co-founder of DISH, said that the company aims to “bring aerospace technology to the community.”

Littleton’s city council recently heard about the plan during a presentation at a July 18 council meeting. The booster is expected to be delivered by SpaceX — the well-known spacecraft manufacturer founded by business mogul Elon Musk — in September. 

Littleton Public Works and Utilities Director Keith Reester told members of the city council about the roles and responsibilities shared between the city, DISH, and the Telluray Foundation, which is funding the project.

The DISH location has a “great deal of regulatory interaction,” with approval required from seven separate entities which all own, maintain, or manage part of the land being used for the project, Reester said.

Littleton resident Pam Chadbourne raised concern about the project during public comment, questioning SpaceX’s relevance in the community and asking the council why the project is only now being brought to the public’s attention.

Reester told the council that a high volume of regulatory requirements were “why the project has taken a little while,” and that the city wanted to get approval from all involved parties before moving forward. DISH first approached the city with the idea in 2021.

All seven agencies — Littleton, DISH, the State of Colorado, the Mile High Flood District, the Army Corps of Engineers, South Suburban Parks and Recreation District, and the Federal Emergency Management Administration — have completed regulatory review and approval, according to the presentation.

The proximity to the South Platte River and nearby drainage ways implicates more agencies than might be required at a different location.

“The timing on this project has shifted a number of times,” said City Manager Jim Becklenberg.

The Telluray Foundation is providing a $2.4-million grant to complete the project, but DISH will be responsible for upkeep and maintenance costs after the initial assembly is complete.

The 146-foot rocket booster — almost half the length of a football field — will sit horizontal on the western end of the DISH campus, spanning the Littles Creek Trail. It will be on supports that keep the booster about 10 feet off the ground.

Councilors Patrick Driscoll, Kelly Milliman, Stephen Barr and Jerry Valdes raised concerns regarding the location, particularly the impact it would have on foot and bike traffic on the Mary Carter Greenway.

Ergen said that DISH landed on the location because it was “off the beaten path,” referring to Bowles and Santa Fe traffic, while still being accessible to locals.

Reester and Ergen assured councilors that the placement of the rocket will not significantly hinder foot traffic, as there will be a plot of concrete set aside from the path where people can stand and view. They also said it will have no impact on the South Platte floodplain, and will have minimal impact on the Littles Creek floodplain.

Despite concerns, the plan received general support from councilors.

Milliman said that, aside from the economic and tourism benefits, the educational advantages will serve the community well.

“To get these kids interested in engineering, I am truly so excited about all of this,” Milliman said during the discussion period following the presentation.

Reester also sees the exhibition as an opportunity to boost use of public transportation, as it may be difficult to find parking near the DISH campus.