As a connector of landscapes, communities, and cultures, the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) provides a setting for community members, decision makers, conservationists, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyone connected to the lands and waters of the Divide, to come together to discuss how to steward the vital natural, cultural, and historic resources found across its entirety. With this report, the Continental Divide Trail Coalition hopes to highlight the role of the cooperative stewardship model in the management of the CDT, what we accomplished in 2023, and what we are looking forward to in 2024.
FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Dear CDTC Friends,
As our second decade begins, we remain humbled and grateful for your ongoing investment in our work to complete, protect, and promote the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. We are proud of our accomplishments and as we look back at 2023, we have so much to celebrate. Most importantly, because of your support we remain stable, resilient, adaptable, creative, and innovative. Most important of all, we can lead with our love of the CDT and remain in service of the communities, cultures, and landscapes connected by the Continental Divide.
Moving into our Second Decade
Building off of our first decade of success, we put our energy into further stabilizing programs and operations by refining our internal systems and controls. This included updating our website, bringing in new technologies and building new tools to support CDTC’s growing team. We refined and strengthened our budgeting and work planning tools, right-sized our office spaces and upgraded our technology systems. All of this ensures we remain highly effective while increasing our efficiencies and even when in virtual spaces, we remain highly engaged, interactive and effective. All of this ensures we are prepared for what our future holds!
Staying True to our Foundations
CDTC remains a highly regarded lead partner to the federal land management agencies in the cooperative stewardship of the CDT. Our shared stewardship efforts continue to serve as a model across the National Trails System, and we are proud to show the tremendous Return on Investment (ROI) for every dollar invested in CDTC.
In 2023, the federal government allocated approximately $1.56 million to the USFS for CDT administration and was allocated to agency field units for boots on the ground projects. In 2023, $302,000 of that funding was allocated to partner organizations (like the Colorado Trail Foundation and YCC organizations), and of that, $245,000 came to CDTC. We leveraged those funds and raised an additional $1.4 million dollars and our amazing volunteers contributed 15,971 hours of volunteer labor- which is valued at an additional $508K! Combined, this totals nearly $2 Million dollars of support provided by CDTC on behalf of the Continental Divide Trail!
This resulted in a 7:1 ROI, meaning for every dollar the USFS invested in CDTC, we produced 7 dollars back to the American Public! Thank you for helping us showcase the strength of the shared stewardship partnership supporting the CDT!
Strengthening Relationships with Trail Communities
In 2023, we strengthened and built new relationships with communities along the CDT. We traveled to and met with all 20 Gateway Communities at least once over the course of the year and we were able to attend countless events increasing awareness about the CDT and CDTC all across the Trail!
We conducted our third Small Business Economic Survey, hosted a series of pilot small business roundtables in Montana, and hosted our 3rd Annual Gateway Community Summit. We participated in community-driven conservation efforts across the CDT, including projects in Colorado’s San Luis Valley and in the development of the Camp Hale National Monument management plan. We participated in the planning for the commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the designation of the Gila Wilderness and worked with Trail communities to develop new kiosks for “in town” locations to highlight the Trail in and around communities like Lander, WY, Salida, and Leadville, CO.
Connecting to the Land and Indigenous Nations
As we continue to heal relationships with past, present, and future Indigenous Peoples, Tribal Nations and Sovereigns, and Land Grant Communities, CDTC acknowledges their past and present contributions and leadership in the stewardship of the CDT. As we welcome, acknowledge, and honor their contributions to the Trail and its landscapes, we completed two efforts to demonstrate our commitment to this work.
In November, we released the “Connections to the Land” film to share the voices, perspectives, and concerns of Tribal elders about the protection of cultural sites, land, water, and wildlife in order to provide a better understanding of Indigenous values to help all of us connect to the places the CDT takes us. It was produced in partnership with the University of New Mexico-Taos (UNM-Taos) Media Arts Program through a generous gift from Tom and Valerie Armer.
We also partnered with the USFS CDNST Program Team in the creation of the Cultural Landscape Training Path Tool. The Training Path Tool consists of research-based Story Maps and interactive content to provide a more complete toolbox that sets forward a way to work together with Indigenous People and Tribal Sovereigns and Nations in collective stewardship of the critical landscapes along the CDT and beyond. Learn more about both these resources on our cultural resources page on our website!
Preparing for the Trail Ahead and Reaching for the Stars
As we look forward to this next decade of work, CDTC is moving out of establishment and into sustainable growth of programs and efforts. In preparation for our new Strategic Vision, we conducted a stakeholder survey to inform the development of our Strategic Vision. You shared that we remain working in the right direction and now we can do that with even more intention and investment, while also bringing even more communities, partners, organizations, individuals, and people who love the CDT together in our work.
As we look forward to 2024, we are beginning to realize our full potential in how to protect all that the CDT is and can become. The Continental Divide remains a place of unbridled adventure and demands constant adaptability and perseverance. I wish to thank everyone who makes this journey possible and send sincere thanks to all of you who welcomed us into their homes and homelands and share with us the love of the places they hold dear. We are constantly reminded of what humanity is capable of– the love, compassion, and kindness that we are all capable of– especially when those acts are not just received but reciprocated. On behalf of the CDTC Board of Directors, and CDTC’s amazing team, we thank you for all of your investments in our work, whether through sweat equity or your financial contributions, and for trusting us to accomplish the work we do. As you read through this Annual Report, we want each of you to know we could not do this without your support. This remains a “we” and an “us” and we should be proud of our accomplishments in 2023!
Teresa Ana Martinez Executive Director Continental Divide Trail Coalition
CDT OVERVIEW
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail climbs and descends along the Rocky Mountains from Mexico to Canada, traversing 3,100 miles of the most dramatic and wild lands along the backbone of America. More than just a trail, the Continental Divide is an incredibly biodiverse and unique landscape that connects cultures and communities through the healing properties of the outdoors.
Holistic Benefits of the CDT
History of the CDT
1968
2009
The National Trails System Act creates a system of National Scenic, Historic, and Recreational Trails. Congress passes the National Parks and Recreation Act, designating the CDT as the third National Scenic Trail and making the Forest Service its lead administering agency.
1978
750
820
The USFS amends the CDT Comprehensive Management Plan, providing direction for local management.
The Continental Divide Trail Coalition is founded to complete, promote, and protect the CDT.
Mike Fuhrmann
CDTC’S NEXT DECADE OF STEWARDSHIP
We spent 2023 building the background to present the Strategic Vision for the CDTC’s “Next Decade of Stewardship.” The Strategic Vision document will provide the direction we will undertake our mission to ensure that the CDT remains a key signifier of the American West. At CDTC, we experience the CDT as a connector of communities, cultures, and landscapes that spans 3,100 miles along the Continental Divide of North America. For many people, it represents a key component of their spiritual connection to the land and view it as a place where life emerges from the land.
As a connector to the natural world, we hope the CDT continues to provide everyone the opportunity for inspiration, to experience the world around us, and to have it positively affect their heart, body, mind, and soul. CDTC’s Strategic Vision will provide the framework for our work and will guide us as we instill our values of working together to learn from the land and its spirit, so that we may build greater understanding amongst all those who are connected to and love the Continental Divide and its surrounding landscapes. The Strategic Vision will be our statement of not only how we envision continuing our work in service of the CDT, and the communities and landscapes in connects, but it will also be about who we are as an organization and who we aspire to become. It will also be a reflection of the feedback we received from you and many of the voices we currently and hope to engage in our work.
The Strategic Vision will be released by July 2024 and we look forward to sharing this new look forward with great anticipation.
CDTC’s Vision
The CDT inspires love for the Continental Divide landscape by connecting all people across cultures, communities, and trail experiences.
Mission
CDTC’s mission is to complete, promote, and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail by building a strong and diverse trail community, providing up-to-date information to the public, and encouraging conservation and stewardship of the trail, its corridor, and surrounding landscapes.
CDTC’s Organizational Pillars
Four Pillars ground the Continental Divide Trail Coalition’s work to generate a broader culture of stewardship and belonging within and amongst the Trail community. The Pillars are:
Stewardship of the CDT
Public Information, Education, & Awareness
Building a Strong Trail Community Organizational Governance
2020
Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act secures permanent funding for completion of the CDT through the Land and Water Conservation Fund.
2022
CDTC celebrates 10 years of working in service of the communities and enthusiasts of the CDT.
The CDT Completion Act is introduced to Congress to prioritize completion of the CDT by 2028.
2021
The CDT submits for $4.8 million of Great American Outdoors Act funding to maintain the CDT.
2024
COOPERATIVE STEWARDSHIP
2023 Partnership Spotlight
The CDT has thrived with almost 45 years of stewardship administered by the U.S. Forest Service and partners, including a decade of partnership with CDTC. Of lands managed by federal agencies, the CDT travels through 20 National Forests, 4 National Park Units, and 13 Bureau of Land Management Resource Areas. CDTC looks forward to continuing to work with agencies and other partners to build on successes of this shared stewardship model across all the lands and waters the CDT traverses to preserve the trail experience for future generations.
2023 Partnership Accomplishments
USFS: CDTC joined members of the community and other partners on the Black Range Recovery Coalition to identify opportunities to restore the CDT in the section of the Black Range devastated by wildfire in 2022.
USFS: The U.S. Forest Service and CDTC partnered in the inception of the Cultural Landscape Training Path tool to gather data about the cultural resources along the CDT, including interactive content, research-based Story Maps, and principles for improving Indigenous participation in land management.
USFS/NPS: CDT Program
Administrator Ben Lara and CDTC staff visited Glacier National Park as well as the community of East Glacier on the Blackfeet Reservation to learn more about visitation on the CDT on Park and Tribal lands.
NPS: Hosted a volunteer trail project in Yellowstone National Park, improving the CDT experience through the park by maintaining tread, brushing the corridor, and improving a boardwalk.
NPS: Partnership on the Youth Hiking program at El Malpais National Monument with the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and the Acoma Learning Center to explore connections to the land.
BLM: In 2023, the CDT community celebrated the acquisition of ROWs across NM State Lands, not only helping to complete and protect the CDT in the state over 50 miles, but also helping to provide hiking, equestrian, and mountain biking opportunities for years to come.
BLM: BLM secured funding and scouted the area near the southern Terminus of the CDT to improve trail infrastructure, including a shade structure and information for CDT hikers.
BLM: The funding, creation, and installation of gates in partnership with the BLM, private landowners, and community members in Southern New Mexico, with the installation aided by youth corps members.
BLM: The BLM and CDTC participated in working groups around a major gap section of the CDT near Cuba, New Mexico. In 2023 the group scouted the area and began identifying an optimal location for the trail that both prioritizes the scenic character and community access to the Trail.
THE PATH TO CDT COMPLETION
Now is the time to complete the CDT. Over the past four decades, federal agencies, nonprofit partners, volunteers, and other members of the trail community have diligently worked to complete the CDT. Currently, there are more than 160 miles of the CDT where those seeking a continuous footpath are diverted onto busy roadways and highways, making for a journey that is not only less safe, but not aligned with the characteristics for which the trail was designated.
The CDT Completion Act
1
2
Directs the Secretaries of Agriculture and Interior to create The Trail Completion Team to prioritize completion of the CDT by the trail’s 50th anniversary in 2028. The Team will be made up of USFS and BLM staff, in coordination with the CDT Administrator, to maximize conservation and enjoyment of the Trail corridor.
Recognizes the value of cooperative stewardship between federal land managers, states, Tribal governments, towns, Indigenous communities, volunteers, and others in building and managing the trail.
3
Explicitly states that eminent domain will not be used to complete the CDT.
Major Gaps
Montana:
I-15 North & South of Butte (~15mi)
Mondia Pass near Lima (~10mi)
Wyoming: North and South of Rawlins (~2mi)
Colorado:
Muddy Pass near Steamboat Springs (~15mi)
New Mexico:
Cuba Gap (~10mi)
El Malpais Gaps (~36mi)
Pietown Gap (~46mi)
Mangas Valley (~25mi)
Lordsburg (~2mi)
Legislative Timelines
of CDT Completion 1978
Congress Designates the CDT as a National Scenic Trail 2009
Public Lands Omnibus grants willingseller authorization to agencies
2020
The Passage of the Great American Outdoors Act secures consistent funding for the Land & Water Conservation Fund 2021
The CDT Completion Act is introduced to the U.S. Senate by Senator Heinrich and Senator Daines and to the U.S. House by Rep. Neguse
2022
The bipartisan CDT Completion Act was introduced to the U.S. Senate by Senator Heinrich and Senator Daines
March 2023: Intro’d by Senator Heinrich (NM) & Senator Daines (MT)
May 2023: Reported favorably out of the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee
Sign-up for Advocacy Alerts to learn the latest on the CDT Completion Act and how you can help!
VOLUNTEER & FIELD ACCOMPLISHMENTS
CDTC’s volunteer and field projects remain the lifeblood of CDTC’s work. CDTC and its partners provided over 32,000 volunteer hours valued at $1.019 million dollars in 2023 alone, which when combined with privately raised funds by CDTC, collectively match the federal funding invested in CDTC and partners with a return on investment of 7:1. We now have over 500 partners and volunteers committed to stewarding the CDT for the next generation and we are continually reimagining ways to create more accessibility in our trail projects. We are sincerely grateful and thank our volunteers for all you do on behalf of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail.
2023 Field Operations by the Numbers
16,000 Hours of volunteer stewardship
16,500 Feet of trail reconstructed
95 Downed trees removed
48 Drains installed
12,000 Feet of trail corridor cleared
5,000 Feet of new trail constructed
22 Cairns or structures built
50,000 Feet scouted
Trail Adopter Highlights
360 Trail adopters 19 new in 2023!
1,362 Total miles of trail adopted
44 Miles of adopted trail work
1,042 Downed trees cleared from the trail
240 Trail markers & cairns installed
5,890 Hours of adopters work valued at $187,300
Total Hours of Community Stewardship Since 2012
1,800 total hours in 2023
Photo Credit Sean Burke
RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Salmon, ID
Big Hole Pass, Idaho
Alongside volunteers, CDT hosted a 5-day project at Big Hole Pass focusing on tread reconstruction and maintenance.
CDTC hosted an Adopter Training, joined by a dozen community members who have adopted portions of the CDT in Idaho.
Yellowstone National Park, WY
CDT hosted a weeklong volunteer project in Yellowstone National Park focused on improving trail infrastructure and tread.
Georgetown, CO
Blackfeet Reservation
The USFS CDT Program Administrator was joined by CDT Staff in visiting the northernmost portion of the trail, visiting with community members in East Glacier and learning more about CDT visitation in Glacier National Park.
Butte, MT
Gateway Community members in Butte hosted a Community Celebration alongside an Adopter Training with CDT!
Youth from Environmental Learning for Kids joined CDTC for a volunteer event at Herman Gulch to learn more about the CDT, conservation skills, and trail stewardship.
Pueblo of Acoma
Dedicated to hearing the voices of Our Pueblos, Tribes, Nations Elders, and their relationship to Mother Earth, CDTC partnered with members of the Pueblo of Acoma to tell the stories of the land that the CDT traverses in a film titled, “Connection to the Land.”
Hidalgo County, NM
Hidalgo County was designated the 21st CDT Gateway Community!
CDTC’s Small Business Survey
82%
of respondents believe protecting, promoting, and enhancing public lands (national parks, national forests, etc.) is important to the general well-being of businesses, jobs, and their local economy.
Year Ending December 31, 2023
Total Expenses by Program Area by Year
Total Programmatic Expenses $ 1,406,515 $4K CDTC’s budget 10 Years ago $15K CDTC’s Federal Allocation in 2014 ~$2M CDTC’s Budget Today In 11 years, CDTC and partners have grown to match 1.25 to 1 in CASH the entire USFS allocation to the CDT.
2023 Income
Geographic Information System
$56,021 Shuttle $37,083
Trail Management
$231,405
Volunteer Stewardship
$129,350
Trail Info/Outreach
$186,419
Community Engagement
$222,795
Trail Policy (Advocacy)
$25,006
Membership & Development
$196,235
Special Events $31,425
General Administration
$264,715 Strategic Planning
Thank you to all our supporters!
With your help, CDTC’s work to complete, promote and protect the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail has never been stronger. Thank you so much to all of our members and partners who make the CDT community so vibrant!
Teresa Martinez
Executive Director
TMartinez@continentaldividetrail.org 303-996-2759
Lauren Murray Director of Development
LMurray@continentaldividetrail.org 720-378-0106
Steven Shattuck Director of Operations
SShattuck@continentaldividetrail.org 303-775-4572
L Fisher Director of Trail Programs
Lfisher@continentaldividetrail.org 303-996-2759
CDTC General Information info@continentaldividetrail.org 303-996-2759
