Joe Neguse (D-CO)
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the ``Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Completion Act'', directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior to prioritize finishing the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail. The goal is to create a continuous route within 10 years of the Act's enactment, depending on available funding. To achieve this, a joint Forest Service-Bureau of Land Management Trail completion team will be established. This team will work to optimize the trail and assist in creating a comprehensive development plan. The plan will identify gaps in the trail and potential opportunities using easements from willing sellers. Additionally, the agencies are encouraged to partner with volunteer and nonprofit organizations to help manage and complete the trail.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill directs agencies to prioritize the completion and optimization of a major national scenic trail.
- Scored +3
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill promotes the preservation and management of a national scenic trail.
- Scored +2
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill includes consultation with Tribal governments.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Creation of a Continuous Trail Route: The bill aims to complete the trail as a continuous route within s 3, which could benefit those looking for a completed national scenic trail.
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Collaborative Planning and Optimization: The establishment of a joint Trail completion team under s 4(a) is intended to facilitate the completion and optimization of the trail.
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Community and Stakeholder Consultation: Under s 4(b), the Trail Completion Team is directed to consult with various groups including State, Tribal, and local governments, landowners, and others, which allows for input on the trail's development.
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Support for Nonprofits and Volunteers: Section 6 encourages the government to seek agreements with volunteer and nonprofit organizations to help with the administration and completion of the trail.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Funding Dependency: According to section 3, the goal to complete the trail is subject to the availability of appropriations, meaning the desired outcome depends on available money.
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Land Acquisition Limitations: Section 7 clarifies that the act does not provide any new authority to acquire land beyond what is already in the National Trails System Act, and it does not include acquisition by eminent domain.
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Lack of Acquisition Priority: Section 7 also specifies that this bill does not make acquiring land for the trail a priority over other land acquisition authorizations.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill directs agencies to prioritize the completion and optimization of a major national scenic trail. Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill promotes the preservation and management of a national scenic trail. Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill enhances recreational infrastructure which can support rural areas.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes consultation with Tribal governments. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The trail's development may provide opportunities in rural areas.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill directs federal agencies to prioritize a specific national trail project.
- 2/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/10/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Teresa Leger FernandezDemocrat · New Mexico
Gabe VasquezDemocrat · New Mexico