A bill aimed at supporting the completion of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail by 2028 was introduced to the 117th Congress
GOLDEN, Colo. (August 27, 2021) — Today, Representative Neguse (CO-2) introduced the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act. The legislation will help support agencies, partners, and local communities coordinate the stewardship of lands where gaps still exist along the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST). The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC), the lead non-profit partner for the CDNST, applauds the attention being brought to this Congressionally-designated public resource through this bill and looks forward to collaborating with the entire trail community to make completion of the CDNST a reality.
“The introduction of this legislation is a sign of progress toward the completion of the trail, which is a core tenet of CDTC’s mission,” says Luke Fisher, Trail Policy Manager at CDTC. “This bill will not only help ensure members of the CDT community are able to enjoy the trail safely, but will also help to support local communities whose outdoor recreation industry and local businesses benefit from a continuous footpath from New Mexico to Montana. We look forward to continuing to work with members of Congress, agencies, and local partners in service of Continental Divide communities to ensure that this world-renowned resource thrives as a place for all to explore, connect, and learn in the outdoors.”
Currently, the CDNST is approximately 95% complete, with some gaps that do not meet the “scenic” or “primitive” values that were among the established trail qualities desired for the trail in the original conception of the CDNST, as set forth in legislation in 1978. There are spots where recreationists enjoying the trail are diverted onto roads or busy highways, which are not safe or enjoyable for trail travelers.
“The CDT Completion Act is the culmination of decades of work from land managers, local trail organizations, volunteers, conservation advocates, community leaders, and many more who have strived to make a continuous footpath from New Mexico to Montana a reality,” says Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of CDTC. “Over the past two years, we have seen the growing popularity of greenspaces as a place for friends, families, and outdoor enthusiasts to connect, explore, and heal in community with one another. The completion of the trail is not only an investment in the trail itself, but an investment in the communities all along the trail who benefit from the economic, public health, and educational benefits that the trail provides.”
Among prospective projects for land managers and partner agencies, this legislation will encourage prioritization of these gap sections, and it will ensure coordination and collaboration are emphasized between communities, private landowners, and local leaders, who are all critical to the successful stewardship of the Continental Divide and the CDNST.
“In the past 10 years since CDTC’s founding, we have seen our trail community, including trail users, local businesses, community leaders, land managers, and others, grow exponentially year after year, and we celebrate this monumental day with them,” says Greg Pierce, President of the Board of Directors for CDTC. “Today’s introduction of the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act is a great sign of progress for all who care about the CDT and public lands all along the Divide. This legislation reflects a path forward in our mission to complete the Trail, and demonstrates the strength of the public-private partnership that is displayed on a daily basis on the CDT and in the National Trail System.”
Thank you to Congressman Neguse for bringing this important legislation forward. CDTC looks forward to continuing to work with all in the trail community to complete the trail.
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The Continental Divide Trail near Steamboat Springs, CO, near Muddy Pass, one of the gaps along the CDT. Photo by Matt Berger.
About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premiere long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class national resource. For more information, please visit continentaldividetrail.org.
