Photo - Devon Balet
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC) formed in 2012 after the closure of the Continental Divide Trail Alliance (CDTA).
1
2
3
4
5
6
740 Miles 7
145,043’ Elevation Gain
8
9
10
11
12
Stay on course with Guthook. 13
18
19
14
15
20
21
Used by everyone on the trail. Check it out in the app store.
22
16
17
23
24
When CDTA closed Bryan Martin, Kerry Shakarjian and Josh Shusko and myself, Teresa Martinez, all previous employees and colleagues at CDTA, realized we couldn’t let the grassroots effort to support the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) fall on our watch. So together we formed CDTC. The goal was to bring together the grassroots community who cared not only about the CDT but believed in creating an organization that could support the CDT in perpetuity. On June 14, 2012 CDTC incorporated and launched with $4 from Josh Shusko’s dining room table. At CDTC, we are blessed to work with such passionate and supportive companies and partners. Big Agnes is one of those companies that not only provides support, but they also roll up their sleeves and literally, dig in the dirt. In this way Big Agnes exemplifies the types of relationships we like to build with our partners—it’s not just a one-way direction or one-time event—it is a long-term relationship that brings both of our strengths to the tables and affects both parties in ways that help us be better, stronger, and grow together in a unique and special way. We have only begun to tap the creativity, passion, and innovation that each of us brings to the relationship.
Corporate partnerships provide an avenue for companies who make the gear our supporters use to play an active role in the work we do and participate in even more ways to the stewardship of our public lands. We know not every company will be like Big Agnes or some of our other partners who live close to the CDT, or where the CDT is in their literal “backyard”, but we know that every little bit of support helps us protect the CDT. We hope that all of our existing partners and potential future partners understand that we want real, meaningful relationships that help us showcase the CDT for the right reasons, and help us continue to protect this amazing landscape to maintain and create even more access to the CDT for all those who choose to experience it. Any organization or future partner can reach out to us here at CDTC. We welcome and invite you to brainstorm and get creative with us about how to align our organization’s mission and core values to support the CDT, engage more supporters into the CDT Community, and inspire continued stewardship of our public lands.
Teresa Martinez, Executive Director Continental Divide Trail Coalition