President Biden Names Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 12, 2022
PRESIDENT BIDEN NAMES CAMP HALE-CONTINENTAL DIVIDE NATIONAL MONUMENT IN TRIBUTE TO ARMY VETERANS AND THE VALUE OF COLORADO’S PUBLIC LANDS
COLORADO - Today, President Joe Biden designated Camp Hale-Continental Divide a National Monument in central Colorado. The President’s use of the Antiquities Act will protect an area known as Camp Hale-Continental Divide, which includes the stunning Tenmile Range and was the base for the 10th Mountain Division ski troops and the vast alpine terrain where they trained. He also announced an intent to administratively protect the Thompson Divide to provide certainty for local communities until permanent protections become law.
Camp Hale served our country by preparing U.S. troops to infiltrate the German Alps to defeat the Nazis in World War II. The new monument also includes the vast and mountainous Tenmile Range, terrain where soldiers became experts in alpine and winter warfare. Returning soldiers founded Colorado’s world-renown ski industry and helped start the state on a path to becoming a leader in harnessing the economic power of the outdoor recreation economy.
Statement from Brian Sybert, Executive Director for Conservation Lands Foundation:
“President Biden’s inspiring action is a powerful tribute to those who served our country and honoring them through the conservation of public lands is an invaluable contribution to the health of our country. It will forever remind us of the sacrifices fellow Americans are capable of making to protect freedoms we all enjoy, including the ability to recreate and seek solace on public lands.
“By highlighting the stories of heroism, stewardship, and tragedy of places like Camp Hale-Continental Divide, we can begin to heal our social divides. President Biden can continue to bring all Americans closer together by using the Antiquities Act as a tool to increase the places that better reflect the stories about who we are as Americans, so that we can relate and feel pride in our shared histories.
“Looking forward, the Conservation Lands Foundation understands that all Americans will benefit as President Biden continues to use the Antiquities Act to protect many more natural and cultural landscapes. President Biden can and should take additional actions to protect large landscapes as leverage against the climate and biodiversity crises. His actions are essential to address the threats we face today as well as in healing political fractures.
“Today is a beautiful day at Camp Hale, and we hope the sun will shine even brighter tomorrow on landscapes including Avi Kwa Ame in Southern Nevada, Castner Range in Texas, Black Wall Street in Oklahoma, and so many other places where American communities are working hard to protect, restore, and tell the stories of generations who have come before us.”
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Contact: Kris Deutschman, [email protected], 970-670-0193
Read more about Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument here.
About Conservation Lands Foundation
Conservation Lands Foundation leads the only national movement of grassroots advocates to protect, restore and expand National Conservation Lands. CLF is headquartered in Durango, Colorado with field offices throughout the West and in Washington, D.C. For more information, visit conservationlands.org.
