Quick Answer: Drill weekend housing near Buckley Space Force Base usually means one or two nights a month, and what your unit's orders cover decides the budget. Your main choices are on-base lodging, a commercial hotel in Aurora, or a short apartment lease. Check your orders first, then compare hotel prices against the current GSA lodging cap of $227 per night.
Drill weekend housing in Aurora, Colorado comes down to one question: how many nights do you need, and who covers them? Reservists training at Buckley Space Force Base usually need a place to stay once a month, often for a single weekend. This guide compares the options near the base, explains the federal lodging limits that shape your budget, and shows where a studio at Oslo on 6th on East 6th Avenue fits in.
What to Look for in Drill Weekend Housing
Start with your orders. Your unit's administrative office decides whether lodging and meals are covered and for how many nights. Once you know the nightly budget, compare options on price, drive time to the gate, and how simple check-in is for a short stay.
Timing matters too. The 6th Avenue gate is listed as open Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and drill weekends can change gate hours. Confirm the current schedule with your sponsor before you drive in, especially for a Friday evening arrival.
Where Can Reservists Stay On and Near Buckley?
The base lodge is the first place to check. Air Force Inns handles temporary lodging at Building 331 on South Beaver Creek Street. You can call 720-847-5899 or book through the DoD lodging website. Eligibility depends on your status and the rules for each guest category, so ask before you assume a room is available.
The table below compares the three main options. Hotel figures come from the federal lodging cap. Base and apartment rates change, so confirm them directly with each provider.
| Option | Best for | Cost reference |
|---|---|---|
| Air Force Inns on base | Short stays with base access | Confirm the current rate with lodging |
| Commercial hotel in Aurora | Flexible check-in on any weekend | $227 lodging cap per night, FY2027 |
| Studio apartment at Oslo on 6th | Longer stays in Aurora | Rent and lease terms from the leasing office |
How Far Does the Lodging Cap Go in Aurora?
The General Services Administration set the Denver and Aurora lodging cap at $227 per night for FY2027, up from $215 the year before. The GSA per diem rates took effect October 1, 2026. The same cap covers Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, and Jefferson counties, and the meals and incidentals rate is $92 per day.
Hotel prices in Aurora generally fit under that cap. An October 2026 analysis by Engine found that 96 percent of Aurora hotel rates it reviewed fell under the cap, compared with 67 percent in Denver. That analysis left out taxes, so add them to your budget. Your unit's travel policy may also differ from the federal figure.
Is a Studio Lease a Realistic Option?
For a longer stay, a lease may make more sense than a hotel. Compare the monthly rent against your nightly hotel budget before deciding. Oslo on 6th is a studio community at 14200 East 6th Avenue with 150 units across five buildings. Unit sizes run from about 190 to 340 square feet.
Here is what to expect by unit type:
- Micro studios of about 200 square feet, the most common type
- Larger studios of about 225 to 240 square feet
- ADA accessible units of about 340 square feet
Oslo on 6th is a studio community, so it is not a match for a three-bedroom search. Review the photos and map page to see the setting, then check the Oslo on 6th homepage for current availability.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does drill weekend lodging get paid for?
It depends on your unit's orders and the rules that apply to your reserve status. Ask your unit's administrative or orders office before you book. Keep every receipt for a stay you pay for yourself, since reimbursement usually requires documentation.
2. What is the lodging cap for Aurora in FY2027?
The GSA lodging cap for Denver and Aurora is $227 per night for stays from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. The meals and incidentals rate is $92 per day. Your unit may apply a different policy, so treat these figures as a planning guide.
3. Does Oslo on 6th have three-bedroom apartments?
No. Oslo on 6th is a studio community, and its units fall into a few main types:
- Micro units of about 200 square feet
- Studios of about 225 to 240 square feet
- ADA accessible units of about 340 square feet
4. Is the base called Buckley AFB or Buckley SFB?
Both names appear online. Buckley Air Force Base was redesignated Buckley Space Force Base in 2021, so use that name when you look for official information. Many listings still say Buckley AFB, and both searches lead to the same base. The official Buckley site is the place to confirm current details.
5. Can I get onto the base on a drill weekend?
Access depends on your military ID and the gate you use. The 6th Avenue gate is listed as open on weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and drill weekends may change gate hours. Confirm the current schedule with your unit before you travel.
Choosing Drill Weekend Housing in Aurora
Drill weekend housing in Aurora starts with your orders, then your nightly budget. Use base lodging if you qualify, use the $227 GSA cap to judge hotel prices, and look at a studio lease only for longer stays. Confirm gate hours and eligibility with your unit before you book.
