Natasha Blakely, natasha.blakely@sierraclub.org
Denver, COLORADO – Today, the White House announced its newest protected public land, the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, along with a 20-year mineral withdrawal for approximately 225,000 acres of the Thompson Divide to ensure the land remains protected. The monument would encompass 53,804 acres, including the historic Camp Hale and Tenmile Range. Camp Hale is known for being the location where the 10th Mountain Division trained for alpine warfare during World War II, with veteran members of the division going on to spearhead Colorado’s ski economy and outdoor recreation industry.
This announcement comes after years of advocacy and attempts from Colorado’s Congressional delegation to protect the area. The creation of the first National Historic Landscape is a great victory for advocates of the region and, through the Antiquities Act, Camp Hale will join iconic and treasured sites such as the Grand Canyon and Stonewall Inn.
In response, Sierra Club Military Outdoors Campaign Manager Aaron Leonard released the following statement:
“The outdoors can provide critical therapeutic and healing benefits for veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and other combat-related trauma. With the designation of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, many more veterans will be able to receive those benefits in a place with historical significance to our community while honoring their service to this country.
“Veterans have played a large role in developing America's outdoor recreation industry, and Camp Hale is a hallmark of that. Once used for military alpine training, this historic site can now be used for veterans and their families to recover, heal, and recreate for generations to come.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.