The Capitol Officially Backs Camp Hale's Monument Status—Here is What the 10th Mountain Division Resolution Means for Colorado

What This Bill Actually Does

To really understand House Joint Resolution 26-1016, you first need to know how things work at the Capitol. Not every piece of paper that lawmakers vote on is designed to change the state statutes or write a new law. A Joint Resolution is essentially the official, unified voice of the Colorado General Assembly. It is how lawmakers put the state on the record regarding a specific issue, person, or historical event. In this case, lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have come together to formally honor the 10th Mountain Division, the elite U.S. Army mountain warfare unit that trained right here in our backyard during World War II.

The text of the resolution reads like a history lesson that every Coloradan should know. It explicitly outlines how thousands of troops trained in the brutal, high-altitude winters at Camp Hale, tucked in a valley south of Minturn in Eagle County. It highlights their defining combat moments in the Italian Alps and Apennines—specifically the daring night assault in February 1945 where soldiers silently scaled the sheer cliffs of Riva Ridge to blind the Axis forces, followed by the capture of Mount Belvedere. The resolution honors the hundreds of division soldiers who lost their lives in these European campaigns before the unit was eventually demobilized at Camp Carson in November 1945.

But this resolution is not just looking backward; it is making a very modern political statement about land use. The legislation formally declares the General Assembly's appreciation for the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. It specifically highlights President Joe Biden's 2022 use of the federal Antiquities Act to protect the area's natural environment and military heritage. By passing this, the state is drawing a direct, undeniable line between the post-war conservation efforts of returning veterans—who founded the famous 10th Mountain Division Hut Association—and the modern necessity of protecting Colorado's public lands for future generations.

What It Means for You

Let us be straight with each other: this resolution is not going to change your state income tax rate, it will not alter your daily commute, and it does not create any new personal legal obligations. But if you are someone who skis, hikes, hunts, or simply values Colorado's public lands, this resolution carries real cultural and recreational weight. It is the state legislature putting its thumb on the scale in the ongoing national conversation about public land management. By officially throwing the state's support behind the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, your local lawmakers are signaling that this land should remain protected and accessible, not sold off or developed.

For the everyday outdoor enthusiast, the most relatable part of this resolution is its specific shoutout to the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. If you have ever tried to book one of these highly coveted backcountry cabins for a winter ski tour or a summer mountain bike trip, you know how central this 30-hut network is to Colorado's outdoor culture. The legislature is officially recognizing that these huts allow modern residents to "ski a mile in the division's shoes." It is a formal nod to the idea that outdoor recreation is not just a fun weekend activity—it is a vital part of our state's historical heritage and identity.

Since this resolution has already passed and does not require a public vote, your action items here are all about taking advantage of the incredible resources the state is celebrating.

• Explore the history: Make a plan this season to visit the Colorado Snowsports Museum in Vail, which is receiving an official copy of this resolution, to see the actual gear these soldiers used.
• Visit the Monument: Take a drive up U.S. Highway 24 to walk the grounds of Camp Hale. Seeing the remnants of the old barracks against the backdrop of the Tenmile Range puts the whole legislative resolution into stunning perspective.
• Book a Hut Trip: Visit the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association website and start planning a trip to experience the very terrain the resolution is aiming to protect.

What It Means for Your Business

If you own a business in Colorado—particularly in Eagle, Summit, or Lake Counties—you might be wondering why a ceremonial resolution matters to your bottom line. While HJR26-1016 does not create new business grants or change your commercial compliance requirements, it serves as a powerful indicator of the state's economic priorities. The outdoor recreation industry brings billions of dollars into Colorado annually. By officially cementing the state's support for the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, the legislature is signaling regulatory stability for the public lands that serve as the primary economic engine for outfitter guides, hospitality ventures, and gear shops in the high country.

Furthermore, this resolution is a massive endorsement for the region's heritage tourism sector. Tourists do not just come to Colorado for the powder; they come for the history. The state is formally sending copies of this resolution to the Eagle County Board of Commissioners, the Summit County Board of Commissioners, and the Lake County Board of Commissioners. For local chambers of commerce and regional marketing boards, this is state-sanctioned branding. It officially recognizes the region as a premier destination for military history buffs and specialized outdoor recreation, giving local businesses a unique, authentic narrative to weave into their marketing, tours, and customer experiences.

Even though there are no compliance deadlines to worry about, business owners in the outdoor and tourism spaces should absolutely leverage this moment. Here is what you should consider doing this week:

• Review Your Marketing Strategy: If your business operates near the Tenmile Range or caters to backcountry skiers, consider integrating the history of the 10th Mountain Division and the new monument status into your brand story or social media content.
• Engage with Local Leaders: Reach out to your local county commissioners in Eagle, Summit, or Lake counties. Since they are the official recipients of this resolution, ask if there are upcoming economic development initiatives or local tourism campaigns centered around the monument that your business can partner with.
• Check Your Permitting: While this resolution changes nothing, the ongoing management of the National Monument by federal agencies might eventually impact commercial use permits. Stay in touch with your local Forest Service office to ensure your guiding or outfitting permits are secure for upcoming seasons.

Follow the Money

When it comes to reading fiscal notes at the Capitol, this is about as simple and painless as it gets. Because HJR26-1016 is a joint resolution and not a statutory bill, it costs the state virtually nothing. It does not appropriate any new taxpayer dollars, it does not raise fees, and it creates zero unfunded mandates for local governments. There are no sneaky budget lines hidden in the text.

The only minor financial impact involves the administrative pennies required for the Chief Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate to print and mail official copies of the resolution to the designated VIPs—including U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, and the 10th Mountain Division at U.S. Army Fort Drum. However, the broader economic context is massive. By officially supporting the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, the state is throwing its political weight behind protecting the natural infrastructure that supports Colorado's booming outdoor recreation economy, which is responsible for hundreds of thousands of jobs and billions in consumer spending statewide.

Where This Bill Stands

This resolution moved through the Colorado Capitol at the kind of lightning speed usually reserved for universally respected, bipartisan memorial measures. HJR26-1016 was introduced in the House on February 5, 2026, and because it carried zero controversy, it passed its final reading in the House the very next day with no amendments.

It was then introduced in the Senate on February 6, 2026, where it mirrored that rapid success, passing its final reading unamended by February 9, 2026. As of February 11, 2026, the resolution has been officially signed by both the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. Because joint resolutions are expressions of the legislature's sentiment rather than statutory law, it does not need to go to the Governor's desk for a signature. The resolution is now fully finalized, and the official copies are actively being distributed to the honored associations and elected officials.