Biden Administration Designates Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument
Photo credit: Mason Cummings, The Wilderness Society.
Today, the Biden administration announced they were designating their first National Monument: Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. The designation includes protections for Camp Hale, the Tenmile Range, and a mineral withdrawal for Thompson Divide.
For more than ten years, Outdoor Alliance, our member groups, and the outdoor recreation community have been advocating for these land protections in central Colorado. In the last few years, the outdoor community has worked to develop and support the CORE Act, which was carefully vetted by the outdoor community to protect the world-class mountain biking, climbing, backcountry skiing, and backcountry recreation.
Today’s monument designation at Camp Hale-Continental Divide is enormously important to the outdoor recreation community. Camp Hale is the birthplace of the 10th Mountain Division and is largely responsible for Colorado's ski industry and many modern climbing techniques and gear. Soldiers in the 10th Mountain Division were trained in climbing, backcountry skiing, and mountaineering on trails and mountains that are still popular among outdoor recreationists today. Camp Hale is one of the birthplaces of backcountry skiing, as a National Monument, it honors American heroes as well as America's human-powered recreation culture.
You can read our most recent letter to lawmakers in support of administrative action to protect Camp Hale and the Continental Divide here, and our joint letter with the Outdoor Industry Association and The Conservation Alliance here.
Outdoor Alliance and its member groups, including IMBA and Access Fund, have worked on protecting these landscapes for more than a decade. “Camp Hale and the Continental Divide are home to world-class outdoor recreation, with long ridgeline technical traverses, challenging backcountry ski terrain, and world class mountain biking. As the home of the 10th mountain division, Camp Hale was a part of the development of many modern climbing techniques. The new Camp Hale National Monument honors American heroes as well as America’s human-powered recreation culture, and we are grateful for President Biden’s action to protect this area,” said Louis Geltman, Policy Director at Outdoor Alliance.
“Camp Hale National Monument secures both sustainable climbing access and long-term conservation—a winning combination for health and wellness, our economy, and our environment,” says Access Fund Executive Director Chris Winter. “Access Fund will continue to make sure that this new monument is protected for future generations and that all of us can sustainably access and enjoy these public lands.”
“The Camp Hale National Monument protects Colorado’s public lands, including some roadside cragging and exceptional mountain peaks and traverses,” says Access Fund Vice President of Policy & Government Affairs Erik Murdock. “Access Fund, and the entire climbing community, deeply appreciate protecting the legacy of Camp Hale. We are thankful for the work of Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, Congressman Neguse, and Governor Polis, and are especially grateful to the Biden administration for their commitment to conservation and historical preservation.”
“The Colorado Mountain Club has been a long-time supporter of protection for the lands around Camp Hale and the Continental Divide. The area holds significant historical value to the state and nation, and continues to provide world-class outdoor recreation opportunities for the public. The Continental Divide Trail, climbing crags and backcountry ski slopes allow users to explore and connect with this scenic and symbolic landscape. We are so grateful for the work of the Biden administration to ensure this place is protected,” said Keegan Young, Executive Director of the Colorado Mountain Club.
"As one of the birthplaces of modern backcountry skiing, Camp Hale and the surrounding Tenmile Range is hallowed ground. The historic importance of the camp and its veterans to backcountry skiing and winter mountaineering cannot be overstated. This National Monument designation will protect a living cultural history for present and future generations of Americans, who will now and forever be able to ski and climb in the skin tracks of their heroic forebears," said David Page, Executive Director of Winter Wildlands Alliance.
“IMBA is grateful for the work and leadership of Senator Bennet and the administration in ensuring Camp Hale is protected, honoring its historic value to outdoor recreation. IMBA, alongside local mountain bikers and many other partners, have worked together for years to protect landscapes around Camp Hale and the Continental Divide with bike-friendly designations represented in the CORE Act's Tenmile North Recreation Management Area. The mountain biking community looks forward to seeing these protections included in a Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, to enjoying continued access to great riding on the iconic Colorado Trail, and other cherished rides in Colorado's high country,” said David Wiens, Executive Director of IMBA.
"The American Alpine Club applauds the work of Senator Bennet, Senator Hickenlooper, Representative Neguse, Governor Polis and President Biden to conserve the unique and historic landscape of Camp Hale in Colorado. The Camp Hale National Monument honors the military history of the 10th Mountain Division, as well as protects essential conservation values of the region and countless outdoor recreation opportunities. As climbers and mountain enthusiasts, we further celebrate the conservation of this landscape for its ties to the development of modern climbing techniques and as an important extension to public lands in Colorado," said Taylor Luneau, Policy Director of American Alpine Club.
Outdoor Alliance will continue to be involved in developing the management plan and ensuring Camp Hale and the Continental Divide are protected for years to come.