IN 1999, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex, former HQ of NORAD was closed to public tours under concerns for growing levels of global terrorism. Although terrorism has grown since 1999, the public and historical interest of the CMC has grown.
Popular television shows such as Stargate: SG-1 and movies such as Wargames have turned the mountain into a pop culture icon and a valuable historical artifact related to the Cold War. The PA benefit of opening access to such an important Cold War artifact would be significant.
Although tours of the operational mountain may have been a security threat, in 2008 NORAD moved out of Cheyenne Mountain, leaving the complex as an alternate command center. This would allow for visitors to tour the mountain without hindering our nation's everyday defense.