On May 30, the Herald ran an editorial describing Sen. Michael Bennet’s plan to protect and preserve Camp Hale by designating the site and adjacent training grounds as a National Historic Landscape. The proposal is important, not just to veterans, but to all Coloradans, and we should support the effort.

As the original home base and training facility for the 10th Mountain Division, Camp Hale is one of Colorado’s most prominent ties to World War II. More than 14,000 men perfected the new and unique tactics necessary for mountain warfare on the historic landscape. Their service and bravery deserves to be memorialized in perpetuity.

But the ties between Camp Hale and Colorado run even deeper. A few of those men returned home and applied their newfound skills and fortitude to establishing many of Colorado’s present-day ski areas, setting the groundwork for Colorado’s (now booming) recreation and outdoor industry. The designation proposed by Bennet will help to protect Colorado’s outdoor heritage and the present-day economic benefits it provides to communities across the state.

Another part of the proposal is to protect public lands in Summit and eastern Eagle counties as wilderness, recreation areas and wildlife conservation areas. The proposal enjoys the broad support of elected officials, local communities and businesses, sportsmen, mountain bikers, hikers and water users interested in protecting the clean water that originates in the central mountains. That portion of the proposal is reflected in Rep. Jared Polis’ Continental Divide Wilderness and Recreation Act, which has already been introduced in Congress.

By adding Camp Hale, Coloradans have the opportunity to not only honor a legacy of service, but also to preserve the natural landscape that so many of us fought for and recognize as a healing force upon our return from service. This is good for veterans, good for Coloradans and good for our country.

Tanner John Whaley

Grand Junction