State of New Mexico
House of Representatives
Ben Lujan, Speaker of the House
Ken Martinez, House Majority Leader
Sheryl Williams Stapleton, House Majority Whip

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                 Contact: Dennis Hazlett
June 19, 2009                    505-231-0142

LAS CRUCES, NM -- Today State Representative Nate Cote, representing District 53 (Dona Ana and Otero Counties) announced a series of initiatives in the further development of the Continental Divide Trail which will eventually stretch from the Mexican border to the Canadian Border.  Cote, who has been active in supporting rural health care, veterans’ issues and ethics reform in the state legislature, has also been an active supporter and volunteer in the further development of the Trail.  He sponsored House Memorial 39 in support of the completion of the Trail during the 2007 legislative session.

According to the 1966 Bureau of Outdoor Recreation’s report, Trails For America, “consideration of a National Scenic Trail route along or near the Continental Divide of the Rocky Mountains would make available to recreationists a challenging stretch of country possessing awesome scenic grandeur, great aesthetic value, and significant historic interest.”

Congress authorized a study of the Trail under the National Trails System Act of 1968.  The CDT was described as a 3,100 mile trail, traveling from Canada to Mexico, through five western states- Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. The report identified approximately 1,900 miles of existing trails and primitive, seldom-used roads that could be incorporated into the Trail to help expedite its completion and reduce costs.

The vision for the Trail was to create a primitive and challenging backcountry trail along the Continental Divide to provide people with the opportunity to experience the unique and  scenic qualities of the area. For many of the same reasons National Parks are established, National Scenic Trails are created to conserve the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural and cultural qualities of the area. 

The Continental Divide Trail, in addition to providing recreational opportunities for the public, can be a significant econonic development engine for the State of New Mexico.  Cote said: “We believe the Continental Divide Trail will bring in visitors to New Mexico from all parts of the United States and beyond to enjoy the scenic beauty of our state.  Those visitors will need food, clothing, lodging and a host of other goods and services which can be provided by New Mexico small businesses.”

About 71 percent of the Trail is usable today.  Many of those miles are in need of repair, rerouting for scenic, environmental or cultural reasons, or removed from roads and motorized trails.

In mid-May, Cote, along with other volunteers from the Continental Divide Trail Alliance, helped build a a shelter, picnic table and a kiosk and do other site improvements at the Trail’s southern terminus near Hachita near the New Mexico – Mexico border.

An additional volunteer opportunity will take place from August 2 through 8 about 8 miles from the Continental Divide/Mimbres trailhead.  The project will involve two segments of trail reconstruction to eliminate steep, erodable trail segments.  Cote urged those who might like to volunteer to visit the Continental Divide Trail Alliance’s web site at www.cdtrail.org for details.  “A good trails system in New Mexico will give all of our citizens new opportunities to be physically active in interesting and educational ways.  Participating in the development of the Continental Divide Trail offers people a chance to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime project,” he said.