34 Groups, Led by Veterans and Military Families, Urge President Biden to Designate Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument

Press Releases | Conservation

Washington, D.C. — Today, a coalition of veterans, military families, and national and local organizations, led by Vet Voice Foundation, sent a letter to President Biden, urging him to use his authority under the Antiquities Act to designate the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument in Colorado.

Camp Hale – Continental Divide National Monument, based off Camp Hale, located outside of Vail, was where the legendary 10th Mountain Division trained for alpine warfare during World War II. Many of the soldiers returned to Colorado to play a pivotal role in founding the state’s ski industry.

The letter reads:

“We recognize and thank you for making the conservation of America’s public lands and waters a priority by committing your administration to the important goal of conserving 30% of this nation’s lands and waters by 2030. “Your ‘America the Beautiful’ Initiative has made strides over the past 18 months, and designation of Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument will contribute to this goal.

READ THE FULL LETTER TO PRESIDENT BIDEN HERE: https://vvfnd.org/camp-hale-cd-nm-letter-to-potus/

The letter, organized by Vet Voice Foundation, was signed by Access Fund; Californians for Western Wilderness; Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks; Conservation Colorado; Conservation Lands Foundation; Conservation Society of California, Oakland Zoo; Continental Divide Trail Coalition; Dolores River Boating Advocates; EcoFlight; Environment America; Environment Colorado; Friends of Plumas Wilderness; Grand Junction Area Chapter – Great Old Broads for Wilderness; Great Old Broads for Wilderness; Hispanic Access Foundation; Hunters of Color; Information Network for Responsible Mining; League of Conservation Voters; Mountain Mamas; National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA); National Wildlife Federation; Partnership for the National Trails System; Rocky Mountain Recreation Initiative; San Juan Citizens Alliance; Sheep Mountain Alliance; Soda Mountain Wilderness Council; The Mountain Pact; The Wilderness Society; Trust for Public Land; Tuleyome; Western Leaders Network; Wilderness Workshop and Wildlands Network

“Few places epitomize the connection between Veterans and our nation’s public lands quite like Camp Hale, a former training site for the U.S. Army – most notably for the 10th Mountain Division – where Soldiers learned to fight in cold weather conditions. After World War II ended, those very same Veterans returned to these areas and helped launch the ski industry and modern outdoor recreational economy of Colorado,” explained Janessa Goldbeck, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and CEO of Vet Voice Foundation. “President Biden, we urge you to use your authority via the Antiquities Act to permanently protect Camp Hale and create the Camp Hale – Continental Divide National Monument – a place everyone will be able to enjoy for generations to come, Veterans and non-Veterans alike.”

Today’s letter comes on the heels of a similar letter to the president, authored by Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, Governor Jared Polis and Representative Joe Neguse, and highlights the breadth of support this effort has collected.