Continental Divide Trail Coalition Celebrates a Decade of Stewardship
GOLDEN, CO — During the month of May 2022, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) is celebrating its 10 year anniversary with community events, giveaways, and festivities up and down the Continental Divide.
“We are so grateful for our progress over the past decade,” says CDTC founder and Executive Director, Teresa Martinez (she/her). “CDTC started ten years ago as four friends around a kitchen table, forging a new non-profit to support the Continental Divide Trail through community stewardship, and we’ve now blossomed into a thriving organization that’s innovating new paths in service to the landscape and in partnership with the wonderful communities of the Divide.”
The celebrations for the 10th anniversary will include synchronous community hikes and parties at four locations along the Divide on May 21st. The birthday parties will include music, games, prizes, free cake, and drinks specials. All events are free admission and open to the public.
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A community hike in Golden, CO., to be followed by a birthday bash at the Golden Mill.
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A community hike in Helena, MT., to be followed by a birthday bash at Blackfoot River Brewing.
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A birthday bash in Bernalillo, NM. at Bosque Brewing.
There will also be ongoing celebrations at partnering breweries and distilleries, and a variety of limited edition merchandise, including:
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A custom 10-year anniversary limited edition BUFF® Original Multifunctional Headwear
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A custom-engraved TentLab The Deuce® #2 lightweight trowel
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A custom-embroidered Osprey Daylite cinch daypack
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A custom-engraved YETI Rambler 18 oz. insulated bottle
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A custom-blend 10 Year Anniversary Coffee from Triple Crown Coffee
CDTC has had several significant milestones in the past decade that mark distinct progress in its work to complete, promote, and protect the 3,100-mile Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. In 2018, USFS, BLM, CDTC, youth corps, and other stewardship organizations partnered to “Blaze the CDT,” marking the trail in its entirety for the first time. In 2020, CDTC signed onto a memorandum of understanding with USFS, BLM, and NPS recognizing CDTC as the lead private partner in the completion, protection, and promotion of the CDT. In the same year, passage of the Great American Outdoors Act secured permanent funding for completion of the CDT through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. CDTC continues to set new records of trail maintenance projects along the trail corridor, as well as support local economic development through its Gateway Community program. With ever-increasing use of the trail from hikers, horseback riders, bikers, fishers, hunters, and many more visitors from both nearby communities and around the globe, CDTC works to inform and educate the public about best practices for outdoor activities, as well as help travelers find the tools they need to enjoy the healing nature and beauty of the Divide.
“With the trail 95% complete, and the Continental Divide Trail Completion Act (CDTCA) currently in Congress, we are on the cusp of an even brighter second decade,” says CDTC founder and Executive Director, Teresa Martinez (she/her). “As we celebrate how far we’ve come, we are excited and ready to embark on the journey of our next decade of stewardship for the CDT.”
