Colorado is a groundbreaking place, so it should come as no surprise to anyone when it is announced that we are about to try something brand-new! Most recently, it was the announcement of a brand-new state park that is not only opening soon but is one of the first of its kind in the country:
"Today the White River National Forest completed its acquisition of the 488-acre Sweetwater Lake Ranch in western Colorado," began a press release from the U.S. Forest Service, sharing that the Conservation Fund bought the land in 2020 in anticipation of the acquisition.
As per the press release, the new park will protect the beloved Sweetwater Lake, which is located near Eagle and is home to not only the 72-acre lake but also wildlife and ample recreational opportunities.
What makes it the first-of-its-kind? It is because Sweetwater Lake will not only be the newest state park but also a unique state-federal partnership via Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Forest Service!
“Sweetwater Lake has been cherished in this region for decades. We are thrilled to expand the public access to this area and very grateful for all the local support we received for this acquisition,” shared White River National Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliam, adding that in the coming months, they will be "working with the public and partners such as Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Eagle Valley Land Trust to develop a long-term management plan for Sweetwater Lake."
Once privately owned, Sweetwater Lake has long been a western Colorado gem that, until last year, was under threat of development, making the acquisition even sweeter.
