Reps. Neguse, Leger- Fernández & Sens. Heinrich, Daines Introduce Bill to Complete Continental Divide Trail

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Federal Lands, re-introduced the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act. The bipartisan bill, which is co-led by Congresswoman Teresa Leger-Fernández, directs the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management to work together to finish the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT). More than 40 years after its creation, the trail remains incomplete due to gaps in public lands along more than 160 miles of its route. In these areas, the CDT is forced to follow along roads and highways to connect one piece of the trail to another. The bill is led by Senators Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Steve Daines (R-MT) in the United States Senate.

“The Continental Divide Trail spans across some of the most scenic, mountainous landscapes in our nation. The trail also serves as an economic driver for the rural towns and cities nestled along its route. Completing the CDT fulfills a promise made over four decades ago to provide the American people with world-class recreational opportunities spanning the length of the Continental Divide,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “This bill will expedite the completion of the trail and close existing gaps—ensuring more people can enjoy these outdoor spaces. It is long past time for us to get this done.”

“A completed Continental Divide Trail would further highlight, honor, and preserve the unique cultures and environments along its route in New Mexico,” said Rep. Leger Fernández. “This bill will help grow our outdoor recreation economy and support the rural communities along the CDT. Importantly, it also makes sure we respect local landowners,  Tribes, Land Grants-Mercedes, Acequias, and other land users. I look forward to co-leading the bill again this Congress with Congressman Neguse and my colleagues.”

“The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail not only passes through some of our most incredible natural, historic, and cultural landscapes, but is also a major source of economic opportunity for communities along the trail,” said Senator Heinrich. “With this legislation, we can make the CDT safer and more accessible so that more people can experience and explore our nation’s great outdoors.” 

“The Continental Divide Trail provides an unmatched outdoor experience for Montanans and visitors alike,” said Senator Daines. “My bipartisan bill ensures the trail will continue to provide public access and a continuous route will finally be completed!”

View a one-pager on the bill HERE. 

See a map of the trail and gaps to be completed HERE and HERE. 

"As the Continental Divide Trail Coalition enters its second decade of stewardship of the CDT, we could not be more grateful for the leadership of members of Congress in recognizing this important piece of the CDT Experience. This legislation demonstrates that along the Divide, the CDT is a common ground that has the ability to unify and inspire a shared vision for the future, even despite the many challenges we face in current times and many differing opinions on the solutions. By filling in the gap sections, the CDT will not only become a safer and more accessible experience for all trail travelers, but this mandate for completion will also help to ensure that the original promise made by Congress 44 years ago, of a continuous footpath offering a remote, natural experience from Mexico to Canada along the Divide, becomes a reality,” said Teresa Martinez, Executive Director of the Continental Divide Trail Coalition.

 In addition to the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, the bill has the support of a number of organizations, universities, and businesses.

Background

Congress created the CDT in 1978 as part of the National Trails System, a network which spans all 50 states. The CDT is the highest, most challenging, and most remote of 11 National Scenic Trails, running along the Continental Divide through Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. Roughly 300 miles of the entire trail traverses Colorado’s 2nd District. The trail’s corridor helps protect the headwaters of the Colorado, Rio Grande, Columbia, and Mississippi Rivers, and when the trail is complete, it will connect an unbroken corridor of more than 2 million acres of public land for wildlife to safely traverse along their migration routes. 

The Continental Divide Trail Completion Act would direct the U.S. Forest Service, the federal agency that administers the Trail, to prioritize completion of the CDT before the trail’s 50th anniversary in 2028. To do so, the U.S. Forest Service will work alongside the Bureau of Land Management to create a development plan, and work to acquire lands from willing sellers, donation, exchange, cooperative agreement, or easement agreement.

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