GOLDEN, CO (October 1, 2025)—The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is closely monitoring the federal government shutdown that began at midnight on October 1 and assessing its impacts on the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) and the hiking community.
At this time:
- National public lands along the CDT remain open; however, we encourage hikers to check CDTC’s Closures and Alerts page regularly for updates in the coming days.
- All volunteer projects on public lands are discontinued for the duration of the shutdown, including the remaining 2025 CDT volunteer projects on federal lands.
- The U.S. Army does not anticipate delays in processing applications for access to the CDT’s Southern Terminus through the National Defense Area (NDA).
CDTC will continue to provide updates and guidance as additional impacts become clear. Immense gratitude is also extended to all the dedicated federal employees working in the service of the American people who are affected by the shutdown.
Government shutdowns create uncertainty and can put natural and cultural resources at risk. Visitors to public lands are urged to practice Leave No Trace principles, follow regulations and guidelines, and act as responsible stewards of these irreplaceable landscapes.
More information and updates concerning the CDT are available on CDTC’s website at cdtcoalition.org/closures-and-alerts/.