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

The Bottom Line

You know those incredible backcountry huts and world-class ski resorts we all love? This resolution officially honors the World War II soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division who trained at Camp Hale, fought bravely in the Alps, and returned to essentially build Colorado's modern outdoor recreation industry. It serves as a formal state endorsement of their legacy and the recently designated Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument.

What This Bill Actually Does

First, it is helpful to understand exactly what we are looking at here. House Joint Resolution 26-1016 is not a standard bill—it does not create a new law, impose a new tax, or regulate a specific industry. Instead, a Joint Resolution is a formal, permanent declaration passed by both chambers of the state legislature. It is how Colorado goes on the official historical record to express a unified position, honor a specific group, or send a message to the federal government. In this case, the legislature is memorializing the legendary 10th Mountain Division and formally declaring the state's appreciation for the federal protection of their historic training grounds.

The resolution walks through the incredible history of Camp Hale, a high mountain valley tucked south of Minturn in Eagle County. During World War II, this served as the specialized training site for thousands of U.S. Army troops who needed to master rock climbing, skiing, and winter survival. The text specifically highlights their heroic actions in February 1945, when these soldiers silently scaled the steep Riva Ridge in the northern Italian Alps under the cover of darkness. This stealth operation prevented German forces from surveying U.S. troops below and set the stage for a massive, successful assault on the Axis stronghold of Mount Belvedere the very next day—a battle where hundreds of 10th Mountain Division soldiers lost their lives.

Beyond the wartime history, the resolution brings the story into the modern era. It formally recognizes the veterans who returned home to establish the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, an organization that preserves 30 backcountry huts across the state. Furthermore, the resolution acts as a state-level endorsement of a recent federal action: President Biden's 2022 use of the Antiquities Act to officially designate the area as the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument. By passing this resolution, the Colorado General Assembly is putting its official stamp of approval on that federal monument designation, ensuring the state's highest legislative body is on record supporting the permanent protection of both the natural environment and the military heritage of the Tenmile Range.

What It Means for You

For the average Colorado resident, this resolution is less about changing your daily routine and more about protecting the cultural identity and public lands that make living in this state so unique. If you are an avid skier, hiker, or outdoor enthusiast, the legacy of the 10th Mountain Division is woven directly into your recreational life. The veterans who trained at Camp Hale returned from the war and quite literally founded or managed dozens of American ski resorts, including Vail and Aspen. They are the architects of the modern Colorado winter experience.

The most tangible connection you might have to this resolution is the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association. The resolution specifically praises this network of 30 backcountry huts, which are incredibly popular among Colorado residents for winter ski touring and summer hiking. If you have ever tried to navigate the highly competitive lottery system to book a weekend at one of these huts, you know how beloved they are. The legislature is formally recognizing that these facilities allow everyday Coloradans to experience the rugged terrain and harsh conditions exactly as the soldiers did over 80 years ago, creating a living history lesson that you can actually sleep in.

Finally, this resolution matters because it signals strong, official state support for federal public lands. By explicitly praising the creation of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, the state legislature is validating the permanent protection of this area from future commercial development or resource extraction. For families who love to camp, hike, or simply drive through the high country, this resolution reinforces that Colorado values its open spaces and historical sites. It is a promise that the lands south of Minturn will remain accessible, protected, and revered for generations to come, preserving a piece of world history right in our own backyard.

What It Means for Your Business

If you operate a business in Colorado's booming outdoor recreation economy, this resolution is a strong validation of the heritage tourism that drives your industry. The state's ski resorts, backcountry guiding services, outdoor gear retailers, and hospitality sectors rely heavily on the "Colorado brand"—a brand built directly on the legacy of the 10th Mountain Division. By formally championing this history, the state continues to heavily market the cultural and historical appeal of our mountain towns to a global audience.

The resolution specifically directs that official copies be sent to the Eagle County Board of Commissioners, the Summit County Board of Commissioners, and the Lake County Board of Commissioners. If your business operates in or around these counties, this is an important signal. It shows total alignment between the state legislature and local government leaders regarding the economic and cultural importance of the Camp Hale area. When state and local governments are unified in promoting a specific region's historical significance, it often translates into sustained marketing support, grant opportunities for historical preservation, and a steady influx of tourists seeking out national monuments.

Furthermore, the explicit endorsement of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument provides long-term certainty for businesses reliant on public lands. National monument status generally restricts new mining, drilling, or significant industrial development within its boundaries, ensuring the landscape remains pristine. For businesses that depend on clean air, clear views, and undisturbed backcountry—such as fly-fishing guides, snowmobile rental companies, and eco-tourism operators—this federal protection, now formally applauded by the state, ensures your operational playground remains intact. It cements heritage tourism as a permanent, protected economic driver in the central Rockies.

Follow the Money

Because this is a Joint Resolution and not a statutory bill, the direct fiscal impact to Colorado taxpayers is essentially zero. The only tangible state costs are the administrative expenses required to print official copies of the resolution and mail them to the named recipients, which include federal senators, the Colorado Snowsports Museum, and the military base at Fort Drum.

However, the indirect economic footprint of the lands and history honored here is massive. The outdoor recreation industry in Colorado generates billions of dollars annually in consumer spending and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs. By formally endorsing the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument and the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, the state is protecting an asset that drives significant out-of-state tourism dollars into local mountain economies. While the resolution itself does not appropriate any state funds, it acts as a powerful marketing and preservation tool for one of the most lucrative economic engines in the state.

Where This Bill Stands

HJR26-1016 is currently In Committee. The latest official action came on 02/11/2026: Signed by the President of the Senate.

That means the bill is still in the committee stage. To keep moving, it would need to clear committee and then survive floor votes in both chambers.