Will Colorado Actually Get a New State Park? What’s Next for Sweetwater Lake

In October of 2021, Colorado's Governor Jared Polis announced a proposal to create Sweetwater Lake State Park in Garfield County. Once official, the 488-acre site would become Colorado's 43rd State Park, and the fourth state park for the county.

Located north of Dotsero, Colorado, the park is still waiting for official designation. The question is, will Sweetwater become a full-fledged state park—or something else?

Why Sweetwater Lake's Park Plans Matter

A State Park at Sweetwater Lake began as a partnership between Colorado Parks & Wildlife, the Forest Service, and the Eagle Valley Land Trust. Sweetwater Lake is unique as it would be the first State Park created from land owned by the U.S. Forest Service. Although the Governor announced plans in 2021, local opposition has slowed Sweetwater Lake from earning certification.

How did we get here? The Conservation Fund was established to look after the property in 2020. The White River National Forest then obtained a federal Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to purchase the land. Since the purchase, the process has stalled, and so have plans for facility upgrades like a new boat ramp and bathrooms.

Why Some Locals Oppose the State Park

Read More: Explore the Amazing Hike to Colorado's Active Volcano at Dotsero

Opposition to the Sweetwater State Park plan comes from residents who worry about traffic, harm to the ecosystem, and the loss of Sweetwater’s rustic charm. Many felt the Governor’s announcement about the State Park came as a complete surprise. Upset residents in 2023 told the Vail Daily that the plan felt like a ‘bait and switch’ land deal.

A full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was ordered by Garfield County in 2023. A Post Independent article said the evaluation was anticipated by June of 2025. A 2024 article from the Colorado Sun outlined plans for the State Park, which included cabins, camping, horseback riding facilities, and caps on the number of daily visitors.

 What’s Next for Sweetwater Lake?

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One of the few things about Sweetwater Lake State Park we can be sure of is that the area is protected from development. Until the National Environmental Policy Act process and EIS are complete, next steps are hard to predict. While Western Colorado waits out the process, a 20-year special use permit with CPW will likely guide progress at Sweetwater Lake.

If it does not become a State Park, the area may eventually become a recreational zone with caps on the number of visitors. In the meantime, current access at Sweetwater Lake includes horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and rustic camping. RVs and Mountain Bikes are not permitted at this time.