Establishment of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument

President Biden used the Antiquities Act to designate approximately 53,804 acres in north-central Colorado as the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, protecting historic military training grounds, Indigenous cultural sites, and rare alpine ecosystems. The proclamation withdraws the lands from mining, mineral leasing, and public land disposal, and directs the Secretary of Agriculture to develop a management plan with Tribal consultation and co-stewardship opportunities.

Federal Register Open PDF 87 FR 63381

Key directives

Designate Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument on ~53,804 acres
Withdraw lands from entry, location, sale, mining laws, and mineral/geothermal leasing
Secretary of Agriculture to manage through Forest Service and prepare management plan in consultation with Secretary of the Interior
Management plan to include provisions for continuing outdoor recreational opportunities
Secretary to provide maximum public involvement including Tribal Nations, state/local governments, stakeholders
Prepare travel management plan for motorized and non-motorized mechanized vehicle uses including mountain biking
Non-motorized mechanized vehicle uses to continue on designated roads/trails unless inconsistent with object protection
Ensure protection of sacred sites and provide Tribal access for traditional uses consistent with AIRFA and EO 13007
Meaningfully engage Ute Tribes and other Tribal Nations with cultural ties in management planning
Pursue co-stewardship opportunities including cooperative agreements with Tribal entities
Explore MOU with Secretary of Defense on hazardous substances/munitions remediation coordination
Vegetative management allowed; commercial timber harvest only for ecological restoration or wildfire/insect/disease risk

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

National monument designation takes effect
Federal lands withdrawn from mining laws and mineral leasing
Existing water, utility, transportation, and grazing rights preserved

Near term (90d)

Secretary of Agriculture to begin management plan development with Tribal consultation
Travel management plan preparation to begin

Long term

Management plan finalization and implementation
Potential memorandum of understanding with Department of Defense on hazardous materials remediation
Co-stewardship agreements with Tribal entities
Ongoing protection of historic and scientific objects from climate change and vandalism

Risks & tensions

No explicit deadlines for management plan or travel management plan completion—timing uncertain
Potential conflict between recreational access (mountain biking, motorized use) and conservation objectives
Tribal co-stewardship language is aspirational ('explore opportunities,' 'pursue') rather than mandatory
Mining and energy interests excluded from future development on withdrawn lands
Department of Defense remediation responsibilities create inter-agency coordination complexity
Climate change threats to alpine ecosystems may outpace management capacity
'Smallest area compatible' boundary may face legal challenge under Antiquities Act precedent