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Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced the addition of a new state park—Sweetwater Lake, a former ranch adjacent to the scenic Flat Tops Wilderness. Notably, a first-of-its-kind agreement will allow Sweetwater Lake to be the first state park in the country that is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, but operated by the state.
Neighbors have long sought to protect Sweetwater Lake, which faced a slew of development proposals in recent decades, including a water bottling plant, golf courses, and luxury homes. After an extensive public fundraising campaign, support from Great Outdoors Colorado—funded by state lottery revenue—and money from the Land and Water Conservation Fund, The Conservation Fund purchased the 488-acre property and transferred it to the Forest Service.
State officials hope the new state park can serve as a model going forward. "There could be partnerships for a state park on Bureau of Land Management land or just greater collaboration, whether it’s on oil and gas or state parks or forest management,” said Dan Gibbs, director of Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources. “My hope is this will be one of many as we look to partner with the U.S. Forest Service. If we can make it seamless for everyone in the state to have these great partnerships, we are going to do it." While Sweetwater Lake currently has few facilities, officials expect to install a boat launch and other amenities by next summer.
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The process for non-competitive oil and gas leases is bad for our public lands and ends up costing taxpayers. That’s why I’m joining Senators Hickenlooper and Rosen to close this loophole and ensure our public lands are managed fairly, while increasing opportunities for outdoor recreation and conservation.”
