LEADVILLE, Colo. (Sept. 4, 2019) – Strolling down Harrison Avenue on a summer day, you can’t help but pass by storefronts filled with running shoes and camp fuel – or the Continental Divide and Colorado Trail hikers lounging in front of them. The towns of Leadville and Twin Lakes have long been known for their easy access to some of Colorado’s most popular outdoor adventures, like hiking Mt. Elbert or taking a winter hut trip. Now, these communities will officially be recognized for their growing outdoor recreation economies and the hospitality they provide to outdoor enthusiasts visiting from around the world. On Wednesday, September 11, elected officials from both towns will join representatives of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC), U.S. Forest Service, and National Park Service to officially designate the two communities as the newest Continental Divide Trail Gateway Community. The joint designation of Leadville and Twin Lakes brings the total number of CDT Gateway Communities in Colorado to six, more than any other state along the 3,100-mile National Scenic Trail.
“We’re extremely excited for what this designation will mean for our two towns,” said Groucho Le Mieux, a long-time hiker and avid trail enthusiast who helped lead the communities in applying for the designation. “Leadville and Twin Lakes have always embraced the hiker community and anyone who wants to get outdoors. This designation will allow us to share our enthusiasm, and our beautiful landscape, with even more people who are looking to experience the CDT and the Rocky Mountains.”
Launched in 2013 by the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, a non-profit organization based in Golden that works to protect and promote the trail, the CDT Gateway Community program serves to help communities benefit from their proximity to the Continental Divide Trail. Gateway Communities are recognized for their part in promoting awareness and stewardship of the CDT and creating a welcoming environment for people traveling along the trail. Both Leadville and Twin Lakes are important stops for long-distance hikers along the CDT, and also serve as popular destinations for folks looking to visit the CDT for shorter weekend or day trips.
“Leadville has always embraced the outdoors and the Continental Divide Trail. We’re thrilled to officially become part of this community,” said Leadville Mayor Greg Labbe. “With outdoor recreation growing so quickly, we’re excited for the potential this designation holds for our local economy and for showcasing what a welcoming town Leadville is.”
The public is invited and encouraged to attend the designation ceremony and celebration, which will be held at 6 PM on Wednesday, September 11, at the Treeline Kitchen in Leadville. Town representatives will join Teresa Martinez, CDTC Executive Director, in signing a proclamation designating Leadville and Twin Lakes as an official CDT Gateway Community. The ceremony will be followed by a sunset happy hour where community members can enjoy free cake and drink specials benefiting the CDTC. CDTC staff will be on hand to provide information about the CDT and what it means to be a Gateway Community, and Spanish language interpretation services will be available.
The designation ceremony is just one part of Trail Daze, a three-day celebration of hiking and the outdoor way of life in the Rocky Mountains. Organized by and for the communities of Leadville and Twin Lakes, Trail Daze runs from September 10-12 to coincide with the arrival of southbound CDT thru-hikers in the area. As part of the festivities, accomplished long-distance hiker Tyler Lau will speak at the Leadvelo Bicicasa on Thursday, September 12, from 6-8 PM. Lau will share stories from his 2018 Calendar Year Triple Crown – a complete thru-hike of the Continental Divide, Pacific Crest, and Appalachian Trails within one calendar year – as well as his passion for promoting access and equity in the outdoors.
Leadville and Twin Lakes are excited to welcome CDT visitors to their towns. Though small, Twin Lakes boasts a general store perfectly equipped for fueling up for outdoor adventures, and Leadville provides a variety of options for outdoor travelers to rest and rejuvenate. Both towns provide excellent launch points for hikes along the Continental Divide Trail in the beautiful Sawatch Range, including iconic Hope Pass, as well as short side-trips off the CDT to 14ers like Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive.
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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.
