President Biden Designates Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument

Washington, DC – For the first time using his powers through the Antiquities Act, President Biden today designated the country’s newest national monument, the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument in Colorado. Camp Hale-Continental Divide will be managed by the United States Forest Service and will honor the unique and little-known story of the former military site and the Tenmile Range, further supporting the conservation legacy and thriving outdoor recreation economy of the region. NPCA, along with many other conservation organizations, local governments, business owners and ranchers have called for the protection of this special place. Now, this landscape and the story it holds will be safeguarded for generations to come. And preserving this site moves our country closer to President Biden’s goal of protecting more nature through the America the Beautiful initiative.

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A New National Monument in Colorado

Camp Hale military training ground becomes the first national monument President Biden creates using his power under the Antiquities Act. NPCA supports preserving other fascinating sites, too.

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Camp Hale and the Tenmile Range tells the story of the brave service of the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division. Located high in the Rocky Mountains, this site provided unique terrain and weather conditions for soldiers to become skilled in skiing, rock climbing and snowshoeing, which ultimately helped them defeat the Axis powers (Germany, Italy and Japan) in Italy during World War II. After the war, this site proved valuable once again as the launch place of Colorado’s now booming ski and outdoor recreational industry. The designation of Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument will permanently protect the history and cultural resources this site holds, honor its remaining survivors, and preserve critical lands, waters and wildlife habitat for all to experience and enjoy.

For its 116-year existence, nearly every U.S. President has used the Antiquities Act to safeguard some of our nation’s most iconic and important landscapes and waters. The Grand Canyon, Olympic and dozens more national parks are protected today because they were first protected as national monuments under this law. There are many more places also deserving of national monument protections. Avi Kwa Ame National Monument would permanently protect nearly 450,000 acres of some of the most picturesque, biologically diverse and culturally significant lands in the Mojave Desert. And the designation of an Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley site to honor a critical Civil Rights legacy would ensure our national parks and public lands tell a more complete story of our nation’s history.

NPCA urges President Biden to continue to utilize his power under the Antiquities Act to ensure that everyone, no matter where they live, has access to outdoor spaces, and that they see themselves reflected in our national parks and public lands.

Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA):

“Our national parks and public lands tell the stories of the places Americans have fought and of what we have fought for. Today, Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument joins the likes of Valley Forge and Fort Monroe as a place that commemorates those who have served in uniform. This designation honors today’s veterans while preserving the history of the Camp Hale soldiers, who fought so heroically for our freedom. NPCA has long supported preserving our important military stories, and we commend President Biden for recognizing the importance of Camp Hale and the Tenmile Range and taking this bold action.

“With today’s designation, we not only celebrate our country’s newest national monument, but we also celebrate an important conservation law that has protected some of our country’s most beloved places like the Grand Canyon, Statue of Liberty and Bears Ears. Nearly every President has used the Antiquities Act to protect sites that are the fabric of the American story and experience. Camp Hale-Continental Divide is now part of that history.

“While we celebrate President Biden’s first national monument designation, we are hopeful that it’s the first of many. There are so many incredible stories that remain untold and landscapes that remain at risk of being lost to incompatible development. We urge President Biden to continue to utilize his power under the Antiquities Act to protect places like Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada and sites in Mississippi and beyond that honor Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley’s story. In doing so, we can ensure these places and stories are never forgotten.”

Statement by Jimi Shaughnessy, Veterans Program Manager for National Parks Conservation Association and U.S. Marine Corps Veteran:

“As a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, I along with my veteran comrades know the value our national parks and public lands provide. The designation of Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument demonstrates that we are valued too. We put our life on the line to protect these lands, so to see ourselves and our stories reflected and now permanently protected here is wonderful.

“Thousands of soldiers trained at Camp Hale, pushing themselves through grueling conditions day in and day out, and eventually fighting in some of the toughest terrain during WWII. Now, visitors from across the country and across the globe can visit this place and learn about the Camp Hale soldiers who sacrificed so much for our country and democracy.”

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About The National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its nearly 1.6 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation’s most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org.