During early April members of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) and other conservation groups converged in Washington, D.C. to advocate for keeping public lands in public hands. I had the privilege of visiting the offices of both Colorado U.S. Senators and four U.S. Representatives to talk about the importance of public lands—places like Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument—to veterans, hunters, anglers, and all Americans.[1]
Congress passed and President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act in 1906. Since then, 18 presidents (nine Democratic and nine Republican) have established or expanded more than 160 national monuments.[2] National monuments are a net benefit to anglers, hunters, and local communities. They safeguard our access to some of the best hunting and fishing that America has to offer.[3]
Unfortunately, the Trump administration is targeting national monuments for elimination. “Eliminating these national monuments … is not in the best interest of those who value and want to conserve some of our best remaining habitat for hunting and fishing on public lands,” Kaden McArthur (BHA Policy and Government Relations Director) said. Regardless, national monuments across the country, including Camp Hale, are at risk.[4]
Camp Hale
Camp Hale is located in central Colorado between Red Cliff and Leadville in the Eagle River Valley at an elevation of 9,238 feet. From November 1942 through June 1944 Camp Hale housed 15,000 troops—along with 4,000 mules and 250 sled dogs—of the 10th Mountain Division, who learned to rock climb, perform military maneuvers on skis, and endure a brutal climate in preparation for mountain warfare. Over 18 grueling months soldiers trained to fight at high altitudes.[5]
During their first major battle the soldiers covertly scaled a snow-covered, 1,500-vertical-foot cliff late one February night to reach Riva Ridge in Italy’s Apennine Alps, site of a heavily fortified German observation post. After five days of fighting the Allied forces commandeered a series of defended posts, which allowed the division to stage an assault on Mount Belvedere, succeeding where others had failed, and to advance into the Po Valley. These key victories helped break the German stranglehold on northern Italy.[6]
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.[7] It became one of the most decorated units of the war.[8] In 2015 Congressman (now Governor) Jared Polis introduced the Continental Divide Wilderness and Recreation Act (HR 2554) to protect wilderness lands and make Camp Hale the first National Historic Landscape, preserving the historical, ecological, and recreational values of this landscape.[9]
“This area, west of the Continental Divide, supplies 80 percent of Colorado’s clean water and is the headwaters for the Eagle River,” Colorado BHA member Rick Seymour (a U.S. Air Force veteran) explained. “Three water providers are partnered with this measure: Eagle County Water, Colorado Springs and the Denver Water Board, as well as over 200 private businesses.”[10]
“This area is home to the land bridge corridor near Porcupine Gulch, which is considered the major wildlife migration route from Canada down to Mexico,” Seymour added. “Statistical data from Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimate wildlife population numbers in this and surrounding game management units for moose number 370, bighorn sheep 455, mountain goats 65, with elk, deer, bear and even lynx also calling this area home.”[11]
During October 2022 President Biden used his authority under the Antiquities Act to establish the 53,804-acre Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument on these National Forest System lands in the heart of the Colorado Rocky Mountains, preserving the area’s important historic, prehistoric, natural, and recreational values.[12]
Following World War II many members of the 10th returned to Colorado and dedicated their lives to the mountains and what would become the state’s world-renowned ski industry. They founded ski resorts such as Vail, Winter Park and Arapahoe Basin, ran ski schools and joined the National Ski Patrol. They not only promoted skiing but also developed an industry and a lifestyle that we embrace today.[13]
Some vets also became leaders in the fledgling outdoors industry, like Bill Bowerman, who came home to coach track and cofounded Nike (with Phil Knight) in 1964, and Paul Petzoldt, who in 1965 started the National Outdoor Leadership School. And David Brower, a 10th Mountain Division officer, trainer, and bronze-star recipient, who went on to become the Sierra Club’s first executive director.[14]
His tenure, from 1952 through 1969, marked some of the country’s most successful environmental protection achievements, and Brower’s outreach was essential, starting with his campaign against a proposed dam in Dinosaur National Monument during the 1950s.[15] Another monumental achievement for our wild public lands, waters, and wildlife in Colorado.
Following the war the 10th Mountain Division was deactivated.[16] Then, after a couple of hiatuses, it was reactivated in 1985 at Fort Drum, New York, and since then its troops have been deployed to Iraq, Somalia, Bosnia, and Afghanistan. And no matter where they’re based, members of the 10th honor their alpine legacy by retaining the Mountain tab on their sleeve insignia.[17]
Public Lands Democracy
“National monuments offer significant conservation value by prohibiting new development on public lands. BHA has ardently supported the Antiquities Act, despite administrative and congressional attempts to erode this bedrock conservation law,” Kaden McArthur said. “As a gridlocked Congress has increasingly been unable to advance legislation in response to any timely threat to our natural resources, use of the Antiquities Act has become an increasingly important tool allowing the president authority to conserve our public lands.”[18]
Although some claim national monument designations are a “top down” approach, today’s national monuments are built from the bottom up (e.g., local coalitions comprised of hunters, anglers, Tribes, and business owners) and have support from the federal delegation. In addition, Coloradoans want more protected public lands and monuments, not less: 87 percent of Colorado voters support the continued use of the Antiquities Act to protect existing public lands as national monuments.[19]
“Presidents have established ten National Monuments in Colorado using the Antiquities Act,” U.S. Senator Michael Bennet explained. “Nine of these remain today as national monuments, national parks, or preserves. Congress reverted the Holy Cross National Monument lands to the Forest Service, today they are part of the White River National Forest. Our state’s natural beauty is a tremendous asset, and I will continue to defend public lands in Colorado and across the country.”[20]
“Congress alone has done very little to advance public land opportunities for hunters and anglers,” BHA President and CEO Patrick Berry told Field & Stream. “So taking presidential authority out of the Antiquities Act would be very problematic.”[21] “Conserving large tracts of undeveloped public lands as national monuments is essential to America’s hunting and fishing traditions,” former BHA Conservation Director John Gale said.[22] And as former BHA President and CEO Land Tawney emphasized, “If you attack one monument, you attack them all.”[23]
I come from a multi-generational family of hunters and military veterans and, as such, I understand the immense, incomparable value of protected public land. Thankfully, Colorado is rich in such places, from the Colorado National Monument on the Western Slope to the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument nestled in the high Rockies.
In addition to safeguarding big game and other irreplaceable habitat, these places ensure stories like those of my family will continue to be told for generations. An attack on one monument is an attack on them all. Diminishing any of these places speaks to a fundamental disregard for the hunters, anglers, and military veterans of this great country.
David Lien from Colorado Springs, Colo., is co-chair of the Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, an author, and former Air Force missile launch officer.[24] In 2014 he was recognized by Field & Stream as a “Hero of Conservation.”[25] During 2019 he was the recipient of BHA’s Mike Beagle-Chairman’s Award “for outstanding effort on behalf of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers.”[26]
Additional/Related Information
-Take Action: https://www.backcountryhunters.org/take_action#/
-Kaden McArthur. “April 2025 Federal Policy Roundup: President Trump Announces Intended Elimination of National Monuments.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/22/5.
-Kaden McArthur. “Legislation Introduced to Repeal President’s National Monument Authority, Undermining Bedrock Conservation Law.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 1/16/25.
-Katie McKalip. “National Monuments, A Net Gain for Hunters and Anglers.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/27/23. https://www.backcountryhunters.org/national_monuments_a_net_gain_for_hunters_and_anglers
-Drew YoungeDyke. “A Monumental Win for Fishing and Hunting.” Trout Unlimited: 7/27/23.
-Noah Davis. “National Monuments, A Net Gain for Hunters and Anglers.” Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership: 7/27/23.
-Amber Kornak. “Hunt-Fish Community Outlines Principles And Priorities For National Monuments.” National Deer Association: 8/4/23.
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) Report. “Hunter & Angler Tenets for New Monuments.” BHA: 10/12/22.
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “Hunting National Monuments.” BHA National Monument Hunting & Fishing Maps (for six Western national monuments): 2017.
Public Lands Advocacy
-“Local View: Selling off public lands is not a fix for affordable housing.” Duluth News Tribune: 4/6/25.
-Washington, D.C. Jefferson Memorial video (4/1/25): https://www.facebook.com/reel/1176426240603074
-“Today I had the privilege of meeting with dedicated staff (along with Steve Kandell from Trout Unlimited) at the offices of Congressman Jeff Hurd (R-CO) and Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) to talk about the importance of public lands to hunters, anglers, and all Americans. Their staff were welcoming, and we greatly appreciated their interest in our observations and concerns regarding public lands and waters. However, the takeaway is clear: Now (or potentially never) is the time to act!” -David Lien (4/2/25)
-Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (4/2/25). “Now (or potentially never) is the time to act!”
-“In Washington, D.C. at the Russell Senate office building preparing to meet at the offices of Colorado’s Senators to advocate for public lands” video (4/3/25): https://www.facebook.com/reel/1084918433385062
-“Just wrapped up some good meetings with the staff of Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper & Representatives Jason Crow and Gabe Evans about the importance of public lands to hunters, anglers, and all Americans” video (4/3/25): https://www.facebook.com/reel/1193370362392916
-Washington, D.C. Reagan National Airport video (4/4/25): “Heading for home after visiting two Colorado U.S. Senator offices and four Representatives offices to talk about the importance of keeping public lands in public hands for hunters, anglers, and all Americans.” https://www.facebook.com/reel/1635432294002729
-Washington, D.C. Congressional Office Visits (Photos) Advocating For Keeping Public Lands In Public Hands (April 2-3, 2025) https://photos.app.goo.gl/7VymBf6HBuNeYF1aA
Camp Hale
-Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/camp-hale-continental-divide-national-monument
-David A. Lien. “A Hunter-Angler (Hell-Raisin’ & Habitat Savin’) Guide To Winning: Colorado BHA Examples (Browns Canyon & Camp Hale).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/23/23.
-Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (10/12/23). It’s been one year since the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument in Colorado was designated!
-David A. Lien. “Camp Hale National Monument A Win For Veterans (& Hunters).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/28/22.
-David A. Lien. “Camp Hale becoming a national monument is an overdue recognition.” Summit Daily: 10/25/22.
-Sage Marshall. “Conservation Groups Cheer Biden Administration’s National Monument Designation: The Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument permanently protects an iconic former Army Base—and critical habitat for elk and mule deer in Colorado.” Field &Stream: 10/19/22.
-David A. Lien. “How Camp Hale National Monument will protect elk.” Grand Junction (Colo.) Daily Sentinel: 10/16/22 (scroll down).
-David A. Lien. “Designation long overdue.” Aspen Daily News: 10/14/22.
-Katie McKalip. “BHA Commends Administration Designation of National Monument in Colorado.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/12/22.
-The White House. “A Proclamation on Establishment of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument.” Briefing Room-Presidential Actions: 10/12/22.
[1] Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (4/2/25). “Now (or potentially never) is the time to act!”
[2] Kaden McArthur. “April 2025 Federal Policy Roundup: President Trump Announces Intended Elimination of National Monuments.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/22/5.
[3] Katie McKalip. “National Monuments, A Net Gain for Hunters and Anglers.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 7/27/23.
[4] Kaden McArthur. “April 2025 Federal Policy Roundup: President Trump Announces Intended Elimination of National Monuments.” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 4/22/5.
[5] David A. Lien. “Final steps for crucial preservation of over 400,000 acres in Colorado: The CORE Act would honor Cape Hale legacy and provide important habitat protections for wildlife.” Colorado Newsline: 7/27/22.
[6] David A. Lien. “A Hunter-Angler (Hell-Raisin’ & Habitat Savin’) Guide To Winning: Colorado BHA Examples (Browns Canyon & Camp Hale).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/23/23.
[7] “Lien: Sportsmen’s top 10 reasons to pass Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act.” Vail Daily: 6/28/18.
[8] David A. Lien. “A Hunter-Angler (Hell-Raisin’ & Habitat Savin’) Guide To Winning: Colorado BHA Examples (Browns Canyon & Camp Hale).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/23/23.
[9] Rick Seymour, Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers. “Protect Camp Hale, surroundings.” Glenwood Springs (Colo.) Post-Independent: 2/1/17.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid.
[12] https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/camp-hale-continental-divide-national-monument
[13] Susie Tjossem. “Colorado Olympians’ connection to World War II should be honored.” Vail Daily: 2/27/18.
[14] David A. Lien. “A Hunter-Angler (Hell-Raisin’ & Habitat Savin’) Guide To Winning: Colorado BHA Examples (Browns Canyon & Camp Hale).” Backcountry Hunters & Anglers: 10/23/23.
[15] Joshua Zaffos. “The uncompromising environmentalist behind the Sierra Club.” High Country News: 2/5/18.
[16] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/10th_Mountain_Division_(United_States)
[17] David A. Lien. “Preserve Camp Hale and other public lands for future generations: Wilderness bill will protect Colorado’s robust outdoor recreation economy.” Colorado Newsline: 9/24/21.
[18] Kaden McArthur. “Understanding Public Lands History and Management.” Backcountry Journal: Fall 2024, p. 48.
[19] https://www.coloradocollege.edu/other/stateoftherockies/conservationinthewest/2023.html
[20] Michael F. Bennet, United States Senator. “A message from Senator Michael Bennet.” Senator Michael Bennet: 3/31/25. https://www.senate.gov/
[21] Travis Hall. “A New House Bill Would Erase Presidential Public Land Powers Enshrined by Theodore Roosevelt: The bill would remove the President’s ability to designate and expand national monuments on federal land.” Field & Stream: 1/21/25.
[22] Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA). “BHA Maps Hunting Opportunity in At-Risk National Monuments.” AmmoLand.com: 11/17/17.
[23] David A. Lien. “Backcountry Hunters & Anglers chair: Trump pushing anti-hunting agenda with monuments plan.” Vail Daily: 12/12/17.
[24] David A. Lien. “A Higher Calling.” Association of Air Force Missileers (AAFM) Newsletter: March 2011, p. 4.
[25] Editors. “Heroes of Conservation: Safeguarding Winter Elk Range.” Field & Stream: July 2014, p. 29.
[26] https://www.backcountryhunters.org/co_bha_award_winners
About David Lien