A vision for recreation around one of Colorado’s largest natural lakes remains a priority despite delays.

That was the message to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission during a recent presentation by an agency representative who has overseen planning for Sweetwater Lake.

While CPW remains an active partner — Gov. Jared Polis had proclaimed a future state park here in 2021 — the agency’s Mark Lehman reminded the commission the lake is owned by the U.S. Forest Service, within White River National Forest.

An environmental assessment and management plan “is completely driven by the Forest Service,” Lehman said. “We have to recognize that our federal government has been completely upended.”

The White River National Forest’s new supervisor attended the presentation — one new face amid turnover and cuts across the national forest that is said to be America’s most-visited.

“I give them a tremendous amount of credit for continuing to prioritize moving forward with Sweetwater Lake and really carrying the torch with this thing,” Lehman said. “But the result of some of the fallout is that it has delayed the process as we get new staff up to speed.”

The process appeared to be moving along last summer, following a series of public meetings and a set of initial proposals. A 20-year operating permit was proposed for CPW, which would oversee “several new access points to the lake” and, among other proposals, a new campground with 15-20 sites, a visitor center and cabins “to retain the historic opportunity that existed at the ranch for many decades.”

The lake had been privately owned while still locally beloved for generations before a “save the lake” fundraising campaign led to the 488 acres entering White River National Forest.

Lehman’s recent presentation included signs along the Garfield County road leading to the lake. “TRULY SAVE SWEETWATER LAKE,” the signs read, along with a red bar over the words “STATE PARK.”

State park might not be the designation, officials have said at past meetings and open houses.

“There’s concern about Sweetwater turning into an overrun park property as many of you know,” Lehman told the CPW Commission. “Our focus with Sweetwater is to provide a scaled-back opportunity and limit the density of day-use parking and camping.”

Locals have sounded unconvinced, as have some elected officials in the area.

“It’s difficult to achieve full unanimity,” Lehman said. “The final (National Environmental Policy Act) process is meant to gather that public feedback so that proposed actions can be adjusted and amended through additional environmental analysis.”

He said a draft could be published in September, further detailing proposals and opening up a public comment period. Final decisions could be made sometime next year, Lehman said.