During June the Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) held their 10th Annual Rendezvous near Leadville. Members from across the state spent the weekend camping, hiking, fishing eating wild game and enjoying some of our nation’s wild public lands estate. They also visited nearby Camp Hale, remembering those who have sacrificed so much to preserve and protect our great democracy and its unequaled public lands legacy.

Tucked in a high mountain valley north of Leadville in Eagle County, Camp Hale was the home base for the renowned World War II 10th Mountain Division.[1] From November 1942 through June 1944, Camp Hale housed some 15,000 troops who learned to rock climb, perform military maneuvers on skis and endure a brutal climate in preparation for mountain warfare.[2]

Introduced by Senator Michael Bennet and Congressman Jared Polis, the Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act would preserve public lands habitat important to sustaining healthy populations of big game and other wildlife.[3] The legislation would add protections to some 96,000 acres in what Rep. Polis calls “the iconic playground” of the state.[4]

The landscape here is home to bighorn sheep, moose, lynx, black bears and elk, and the Continental Divide proposal would establish two wildlife conservation areas totaling nearly 12,000 acres to protect wildlife habitat and migration corridors near Loveland Pass and in the Williams Fork Mountains.[5]

Adjacent to the protected landscape in the Continental Divide proposal is a first-of-its-kind overpass and underpass system that allows mule deer, elk and other animals to cross Highway 9 with less risk of injury or death. This is testament to the importance of the area for wildlife. The Continental Divide bill also protects key habitat for the greater sage-grouse.[6]

Colorado BHA chapter chairman, David Lien (a former U.S. Air Force officer), said: “As a former Air Force officer, I’m particularly pleased that this legislation designates the legendary Camp Hale as America’s first ever National Historic Landscape.”[7] Under the Continental Divide bill, some 30,000 acres surrounding Camp Hale would be preserved.[8] This bill honors the legacy of our veterans and support is widespread:

1. During the 2017 Colorado General Assembly Senator Kerry Donovan introduced, and the Senate passed, SM17-003: “Memorializing congress to support the designation of Camp Hale as the nation’s first national historic landscape to preserve its rich military history.”[9]
2. On May 2, 2018, a coalition of nearly 100 Colorado businesses sent a letter to Colorado’s U.S. Senator Cory Gardner seeking his support for the bill.[10]
3. The bill doesn’t close any motorized access points and accommodates water, electrical, transportation and mining infrastructure. It’s backed by Eagle County, the town of Vail, Vail Resorts and many other groups.[11]
4. Wilderness encompasses less than 3 percent of the landmass of the Lower 48.[12]
5. Only 8 percent of the National Forest acreage in Colorado lies beyond one mile of a road (a mere 4 percent for BLM lands), and there are enough Forest Service roads in the state to go from the Kansas border to Utah and back, 17 times.[13]
6. In Colorado, 12 of the 15 most hunted game management units have over 100,000 acres of roadless wilderness. Build roads or trails in these areas and the elk migrations are hindered and the mule deer populations suffer. That means less hunting opportunity.[14]
7. As renowned Colorado bowhunter, David Petersen (a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot), said: “The three-part formula for assuring a rich elk hunting future … could hardly be simpler, or more in need of our acknowledgment and help right now. Those three essential elements are: habitat, habitat, and habitat.”[15]
8. In the words of my friend, Salida resident Bill Sustrich (a U.S. Navy/World War II veteran): “In the simplest terms, without suitable habitat we will have no game; without game, we will have no hunting; without hunting, a precious heritage of our past will be lost forever.”
9. David Petersen (who founded the Colorado BHA chapter) adds: “For me, it was always super simple … if you want to hunt, first you have to have animals to hunt. And if you want animals, first they’ve got to have habitat to live in. So, if you’re not trying to protect habitat and improve it and increase it, then you’re working against yourself as a hunter.”[16]
10. And in the words of BHA founder, Mike Beagle (a former U.S. Army field artillery officer): “Think about what we leave for our children. That’s enough motivation for me. Let’s make it happen.”[17]

Mike would also surely agree that perhaps the most important reason to support this legislation is honoring our World War II veterans. In 141 days of combat, the 10th Mountain Division saw 992 men killed and 4,100 wounded in some of the war’s toughest fighting.[18] This bill preserves an important part of their great legacy. And during May 2018 some 400 Colorado veterans sent a letter to U.S. Senator Cory Gardner urging him to co-sponsor the Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act.[19]

“Designating Camp Hale will pay homage to our veterans and the birth of our state’s booming outdoor industry,” said Bradley Noone, a U.S. Army 10th Mountain Division veteran. “I want to thank Representative Polis and Senator Bennet for honoring World War II veterans … and the lands that we all enjoy. I hope that Senator Gardner co-sponsors this legislation that will benefit all Coloradans.”[20]

“The sportsmen and women of Colorado stand arm-in-arm with our World War II and other veterans in asking Sen. Gardner to co-sponsor this important legislation,” said Colorado BHA chair, David Lien. “Don’t let the partisan politics of Washington, D.C. get in the way of doing what’s right for Colorado’s hunters, anglers and military veterans.”[21] Contact Senator Gardner and let him know you’re a hunter-angler (and/or veteran) and you support the Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act.

-Photos (and related information) from the Camp Hale National Historic Site (June 2, 2018): https://photos.app.goo.gl/3Z8c31TCZ2juRFA87

-“Sportsmen’s top 10 reasons to pass Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act.” Vail Daily: 6/28/18.

-“Support Camp Hale Act.” Glenwood Springs (Colo.) Post-Independent: 4/6/18.

-“Sportsmen support Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act.” Vail Daily: 3/17/18.

“To The American Soldier

Who, not bred to arms, but nurtured by

independence, has achieved the proudest

rank among the veterans of history.”

–Theodore A. Dodge[22]

[1] https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sm17-003

[2] Scott Streater. “Colo. lawmakers sponsor wide-ranging conservation bill.” E&E News: 1/24/18. https://www.eenews.net/eenewspm/2018/01/24/stories/1060071855

[3] Jack Queen. “Rep. Jared Polis, Sen. Michael Bennet introduce 100,000 acre wilderness bill for Summit and Eagle counties.” Summit Daily: 1/24/18. https://www.postindependent.com/news/local/rep-jared-polis-sen-michael-bennet-introduce-100000-acre-wilderness-bill-for-summit-and-eagle-counties/

[4] The Wilderness Society (TWS). “Continental Divide’s priceless wilderness would gain protection under new bill.” TWS: January 2018. https://wilderness.org/continental-divides-priceless-wilderness-would-gain-protection-under-new-bill

[5] The Wilderness Society (TWS). “Continental Divide’s priceless wilderness would gain protection under new bill.” TWS: January 2018. https://wilderness.org/continental-divides-priceless-wilderness-would-gain-protection-under-new-bill

[6] The Wilderness Society (TWS). “Continental Divide’s priceless wilderness would gain protection under new bill.” TWS: January 2018. https://wilderness.org/continental-divides-priceless-wilderness-would-gain-protection-under-new-bill

[7] David A. Lien. “Sportsmen support Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act.” Vail Daily: 3/17/18. https://www.vaildaily.com/opinion/sportsmen-support-continental-divide-recreation-wilderness-and-camp-hale-legacy-act-letter/

[8] The Wilderness Society (TWS). “Continental Divide’s priceless wilderness would gain protection under new bill.” TWS: January 2018. https://wilderness.org/continental-divides-priceless-wilderness-would-gain-protection-under-new-bill

[9] https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sm17-003

[10] David O. Williams. “Eagle, Summit county businesses pressure Gardner to back wilderness bill.” Vail Daily: 5/7/18. https://www.vaildaily.com/news/eagle-summit-county-businesses-pressure-gardner-to-back-wilderness-bill/?hd&utm_campaign=2018-05-17+Your+Wilderness&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Pew

[11] David O. Williams. “Eagle, Summit county businesses pressure Gardner to back wilderness bill.” Vail Daily: 5/7/18. https://www.vaildaily.com/news/eagle-summit-county-businesses-pressure-gardner-to-back-wilderness-bill/?hd&utm_campaign=2018-05-17+Your+Wilderness&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Pew

[12] Joe Lawandowski. “Call of the wild.” The Durango Herald: 9/18/14. https://durangoherald.com/articles/78790

[13] David Petersen and Keith Curley. “Where The Wild Lands Are: Colorado.” Trout Unlimited: January 2006. https://www.tu.org/sites/default/files/CO-Where-the-wildlands-are.pdf

[14] David A. Lien, Colorado BHA Chairman. “Wilderness and Roadless Areas Release Act is Anti-Hunting Legislation.” AmmoLand.com: 7/28/11.https://www.ammoland.com/2011/07/wilderness-and-roadless-areas-release-act-is-anti-hunting-legislation/#axzz5FUfv2WG8; Kirk Deeter. “Roadless Area Are Essential to Fly Fishing.” Field & Stream: 7/12/11.

[15] David Petersen. “The Future of Elk Hunting.” Traditional Bowhunter magazine: December/January 2013, p. 69.

[16] Scott Willoughby. “David ‘Elkheart’ Petersen aims to protect outdoor resources.” The Denver Post: 6/12/13. https://www.denverpost.com/2013/06/11/david-elkheart-petersen-aims-to-protect-outdoor-resources/

[17] Mike Beagle, BHA founder. “Nothing breeds success like success.” Backcountry Journal: Spring 2007, p. 1.

[18] Randy Wyrick. “History lives: 43rd annual 10th Mountain Division Memorial Ceremony celebrates heroes, history.” Vail Daily: 3/3/18. https://www.vaildaily.com/news/history-lives-43rd-annual-10th-mountain-division-memorial-ceremony-celebrates-heroes-history/

[19] Public News Service (PNS). “CO Veterans Call on Sen. Gardner to Protect Camp Hale.” PNS: 5/28/18. https://www.publicnewsservice.org/2018-05-28/public-lands-wilderness/co-veterans-call-on-sen-gardner-to-protect-camp-hale/a62679-1

[20] David O. Williams. “Bennet, Polis introduce Continental Divide Wilderness Bill ahead of Outdoor Retailer show.” Real Vail: 1/24/18. http://www.realvail.com/bennet-polis-introduce-continental-divide-wilderness-bill-ahead-of-outdoor-retailer-show/a4754

[21] David Lien is a former Air Force officer and chairman of the Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. He’s the author of “Hunting for Experience: Tales of Hunting & Habitat Conservation” and during 2014 was recognized by Field & Stream as a “Hero of Conservation.” For additional information see: “David A. Lien Recognized by Field & Stream as ‘Hero of Conservation.’” AmmoLand.com: 7/2/14. http://www.ammoland.com/2014/07/david-a-lien-recognized-by-field-stream-as-a-hero-of-conservation/#

[22] Theodore Ayrault Dodge. Hannibal. Boston: Da Capo Press, 1891.