Boating enthusiasts can once again set sail at Sweitzer Lake State Park, as the boat ramp officially opened its doors to the public on August 8 following restoration work on the dam and the replenishment of water levels in the reservoir. Operating hours are set from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, though you'll have to make the most of those evening voyages soon, as the park plans to ratchet down its schedule post-Labor Day, slashing hours to close at 4:30 p.m. "It’s great to see boats back out on the water here at Sweitzer Lake,” Park Manager Scott Rist gleefully announced, per a report from Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Even with the reservoir's water level continuing to rise, smaller vessels are clear to cruise the lake without a hitch, according to Rist.
But while Switzer's boat ramps eagerly welcome the summer crowd, Crawford State Park is already prepping for the curtain call of its boating season due to ever-dropping water levels. "We may have about 20 days left of boatable water," lamented Crawford State Park Manager Mark Lehman, hinting at a potential early closure for the ramp as he warned boaters to exercise caution out on the increasingly shallow waters. This unwelcome news came hand-in-hand with the announcement that Paonia State Park has already shuttered its boat ramp on July 17 due to similar issues, with the silver lining being that hand-launched vessels still retain a sliver of a chance to deftly maneuver in the park's limited waters.
Lest we forget the anglers in this aquatic shuffle, Sweitzer Lake continues to lure them in with its catch-and-release policy and a smorgasbord of fish, including some trophy largemouth bass. Just remember that the selenium levels here mean those fish should stay off the dinner plate. On the flip side, Crawford remains a bastion for perch and crappie, and even serves up chances to nab some warm water specimens like largemouth bass. So whether you're looking to hook a big one or just enjoy a peaceful day on the water, Sweitzer Lake is open for business while Crawford counts down its final days until the dry spell takes full effect.
