A survey of over 150 businesses in 38 communities across five Rocky Mountain states highlights the importance of the CDT and public lands for rural communities
GOLDEN, CO (March 10, 2022) — The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) has published the results of the 2021 Small Business Survey with the release of the third biennial CDTC Small Business Report. The report aims to provide a snapshot of the economic impact of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) and other protected lands, detailing the importance of the outdoor recreation industry in the five CDT-states of New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.
From August to December 2021, CDTC surveyed 136 small business owners in 38 communities located along the Continental Divide Trail to learn more about how the CDT impacts their businesses, the local economy, and about their support for public lands. Respondents of the survey represented businesses across industries, including in the arts, entertainment, outdoor recreation, hospitality, food service, retail trade, manufacturing, transportation, and other industries. An overwhelming majority of survey respondents said they believe investing in and protecting public lands, including the CDT, is important to the well-being of their economy. Major findings from the 2021 Small Business Survey include:
- 90% of all respondents believe protecting, promoting, and enhancing public lands is important to the well-being of businesses, jobs, and their community’s economy.
- 80% of all respondents have seen growth in business in their community at large due to use of the Continental Divide Trail since 2014.
- 78% believe protecting, promoting, and enhancing the Continental Divide Trail is important to the well-being of businesses, jobs, and their community’s economy.
- 70% of respondents in CDT Gateway Communities reported that trail users spend money and have a positive impact on their revenue
“The stewardship of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail and the surrounding landscape continues to be critically important to the economy, life, and overall well-being of rural communities in the Rocky Mountain West,” says Andrea Kurth (she/her), Gateway Community Manager at CDTC. “As we continue to collectively shape the future of our public lands and our communities, the recreational, cultural, and scenic resources of the CDT are more important to protect than ever. Protection and completion of the Continental Divide Trail ensures that business owners, residents, local decision-makers, and visitors can continue to explore and connect on the Continental Divide and enjoy the myriad economic, health, mental, educational, and physical benefits that it provides.”
According to a Headwaters Economics report released in November 2021, the outdoor recreation economy contributed $374 Billion to the GDP in 2020. The outdoor recreation economy provides over 5.2 million jobs nationwide and contributes a significant portion of each states’ GDP across the entirety of the trail. The CDTC’s report demonstrates just how a greenspace like the CDT can provide economic benefits to both small businesses and rural communities, and drive sustainable regional growth across the entirety of the 3,100 mile trail, from the Bootheel of New Mexico to Glacier National park in Montana.
“Economic impact is certainly one of the most powerful ways the Continental Divide Trail transforms communities,” says Amy Camp (she/hers), member of CDTC Board of Directors, founder of Cycle Forward. “While we should invest in trails for reasons that extend beyond economic opportunity, the simple truth is rural communities leverage the outdoor economy via the CDT. Don’t just take CDTC’s word for it. Ninety percent of businesses surveyed believe protecting public lands is important to the well-being of businesses, jobs, and their community’s economy.”
Most business owners agreed that public lands protections benefited their bottom line, and some respondents shared potential strategies that they believed could enhance recreation and optimize conservation stewardship practices that would have even greater economic impacts. In a focus group of eight business owners, participants identified themes like trail gaps, extreme weather events, and the barriers to connecting with recreationists about the opportunities in town, as major challenges that currently impact their business. From that focus group, participants also narrowed in on opportunities like trail completion efforts, investments in infrastructure and transportation, and greater promotion of and education on the CDT as strategies that could help their communities and their businesses.
As many communities face a moment of transition, whether due to climate change or economic conditions, CDTC supports community connections through the Gateway Community Program, and specifically supports business owners through the Business Membership Program, which provides tools, information, and strategies for promoting their community as an outdoor recreation destination.
Quotes from Small Business Owners:
Steve Hill, Pintler Portal Hostel (Anaconda, Montana)
“Anaconda’s economic vitality depends on the outdoor resources of Montana. Anaconda has successfully struggled through a smelter closing and Superfund cleanup over the past 40 years. Our community, as a gateway to world-renowned destinations like the Continental Divide Trail, the Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, magnificent fishing streams and hundreds of mountain lakes within miles, relies on the protection of those places. In the face of climate change and the stresses reflected in more dangerous wildfires and drought, and surging developments in the state, the completion of the CDT is a necessary investment in our community’s connection with the outdoors and protection of a stressed outdoors. These outdoors provide a pathway to enhancing our town’s growing outdoor businesses community, health, and a renewed way of life.”
Martyn Pearson, Gila Hike & Bike (Silver City, New Mexico)
“Our small business and our isolated rural town would look considerably smaller were it not for the Continental Divide Trail and the outdoor economy it helps to generate. From thru-hikers, to mountain bikers, to tourists hoping to snap a selfie next to a CDT placard, many businesses in Silver City are aware that winter is followed by thru-hiking season, and we are both grateful and relieved!”
Gina Evans, Linked Adventures (Butte. Montana)
“The CDT’s proximity to my hometown allows for the non-motorized adventurers, or those passing through on vacation, to experience not only the trail but also supporting local businesses & restaurants during a resupply of needed food or new gear, to a night out of the elements in a hotel. I see & assist many hikers, bikers, and other visitors each season. In answering questions on what my hometown of Butte, a CDT Gateway Community has to offer, living and working in a rural community, having travelers from around the world, gives all businesses a boost from and cut of the recreation boom pie.”
Nate Porter, Salida Mountain Sports (Salida, Colorado)
“The CDT is not only a great recreational resource, but an important economic driver for rural communities near the trail. It’s important to support things like this that support physical and mental health, as well as benefit rural areas.”
Laurie Richards, Wheel In Tavern (Lincoln, Montana)
“We own a Tavern in Lincoln and the hikers have become an important part of our summer economy. The hikers love spending a few days off the trail and replenishing their supplies and telling their stories to the locals before they continue on to the next trail town.”
Sarah Chavez, Pie-O-Neer Homestead & Pie-Town-Pies (Pie Town, New Mexico)
“This past year was my first experience at [Pie-Town-Pies]. What we had to balance was being the only restaurant available for 22 miles…. So, for most hikers it was breakfast, lunch & early dinner. Some days we could have upwards of 35 people daily, in addition to local & U.S. Highway 60 travel. We cooked non-stop, and initially were not prepared for that volume, so shopping was a priority which is 80+ miles away. Also, we had a very small staff due to COVID. We did not know how to menu until it was really in the thick of it all! What were the top dietary needs? Lots of to-go food for their departures back on the trail. We found an all-day breakfast burrito, burgers, and sandwiches on our homemade bread were ideal!”
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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.
