President Biden designates Camp Hale–Continental Divide National Monument, the first of his presidency
Camp Hale, CO
Mason Cummings, TWS
Camp Hale–Continental Divide National Monument to become the first of the Biden presidency
Today, President Biden heeded the calls from Colorado veterans, elected officials, business owners, hunters and anglers, and other community members and designated the first new national monument of his presidency: Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. This action honors veterans and preserves important cultural, historical and environmental values of these federal lands for future generations. President Biden also announced a 20-year administrative mineral withdrawal process from the Thompson Divide, which would safeguard the area from future oil and gas leasing until a permanent law is passed to protect the area.
Camp Hale was home to the 10th Mountain Division during World War II. The high altitude and montane environment served as important training grounds in mountain warfare. The Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument will provide visitors with unique educational and recreational opportunities in Colorado’s White River National Forest.
Communities across the country are asking President Biden to honor their stories, and protect public lands and waters through similar designations. Using the Antiquities Act, the President can and should designate more monuments like Avi Kwa Ame in Southern Nevada and the Castner Range in West Texas that highlight the stories of the country’s underrepresented communities.
In response to the designation, The Wilderness Society President Jamie Williams said:
“By designating the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, President Biden has protected an important historic World War II era military site and training grounds - places that tell heroic stories of this nation.
These areas along the Continental Divide have helped shape what became the outdoor recreation industry. The surrounding mountains provide world class outdoor recreation opportunities and important wildlife habitat.
The majority of the Colorado’s congressional delegation, Governor Polis, local elected officials, nearly 9 out of 10 Coloradans, businesses, ranchers, sportsmen and many others have been working over the past several years to protect these cherished places.”
###
For more information, contact Tony Iallonardo at newsmedia@tws.org
