Parks & Open Space is responsible for weed management on open space areas, certain agricultural leased lands, and designated county maintained roads.
Invasive Plants & Weed Management on Open Space
Boulder County Integrated Weed Management Plan Update
Boulder County is updating its current weed management plans and policies. Currently, the county is operating with two plans: the Boulder County Noxious Weed Management Plan and the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Weed Management Policies and Procedures. These two documents will be combined into a single Integrated Weed Management Plan.
Draft Plan Version 3.0
The Boulder County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on April 16 to consider Version 3.0 of the draft plan. They will deliberate and make their decision on May 23. No additional public comment will be taken.
On March 28, the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee voted in favor of recommending to the Boulder County Board of Commissioners approval of the Draft Plan Version 2.0 with two amendments by vote of 6-2. The following amendments have been incorporated into Version 3.0:
- Removed glyphosate from use.
- Staff to create a multi-modal notification and subscription notification system to notify residents about planned aerial spraying.
Draft Integrated Weed Management Plan Version 3.0
Draft Plan Version 2.0
Throughout the public engagement phase the county has received a large volume of public input through testimony at public meetings, survey responses, and comments through the online comment form. Much of this input expressed concerns about herbicide use. County staff appreciates the interest, passion, and time dedicated to this process by so many members of the public, and this input has been key to shaping version 2.0 of the draft plan.
Staff shares public concerns about use of herbicides and made changes to the plan, including:
- Reduce herbicide use 50% by 2030.
- Initiate pilot projects for alternative weed management tools including goat browsing, hand pulling for List A eradication, steam treatment to suppress weeds at trailheads, novel soil amendments, and volunteer “Weed Warrior” program.
- Use a stricter herbicide selection process that eliminates four herbicides (2,4-D, Dicamba, Triclopyr, and Mecoprop).
- Eliminate aerial spraying by helicopter; propose limited drone use as an alternative to reduce the risk of spray drift.
- Nearly eliminate glyphosate, using it only on three List A species in very limited quantities (less than 1 gallon/year).
- Conduct surface water impact study after herbicide application.
- Update reporting methods to increase availability of weed management activity data on the Boulder County website.
Draft Integrated Weed Management Plan Version 2.0
Please note, this version has a simplified look compared to the Initial Draft Plan (Version 1.0) that was released on Oct. 2, 2023. The plan will be modified to match the styling used in version 1.0 before being presented to the Board of County Commissioners.
Written Public Comments
Submit your comments regarding the Integrated Weed Management Plan. Comments will become part of the public record, including your name and city, and will be available for everyone to see. Comments are subject to the Social Media Comment Policy. Comments will be reviewed by staff, Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee members, and the Board of County Commissioners. The comment form will remain open until the planning process is complete.
Upcoming Meetings
- May 23, 9 a.m. – Board of County Commissioners
The commissioners will deliberate and make a decision. Public comment will not be accepted.
Additional Resources
- Integrated Weed Management FAQs: Staff’s responses to frequent comments made throughout the engagement process.
- Relevant Research Studies: A list of scientific studies related to noxious weeds.
- Story Map: Provides some important planning context and case studies of lands where integrated weed management has already been implemented.
Previous Events
- April 16, 3 p.m. – Board of County Commissioners
Staff presented the Draft Plan Version 3.0. and the commissioners held a public hearing. The commissioners requested additional information to be provided for the May meeting (the meeting date was changed to May 23). The hearing adjourned at 8:35 p.m.
Watch the Meeting - March 28 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
The committee voted 6-2 to recommend that the Board of County Commissioners approval the plan as presented by staff with the following amendments:
1) Add glyphosate to the list of herbicides no longer used.
2) Direct staff to create a multi-modal notification system and subscription notification system to notify residents of aerial spraying.
Watch the Meeting - March 12 – Panel Discussion on the State of Science for Integrated Weed Management
Boulder County held a held a paneled discussion on the state of science for integrated weed management.
Watch the Webinar - Feb. 22 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Staff from Jefferson County, Larimer County, and Rocky Mountain National Park presented their agency’s weed management practices. Staff presented a summary of proposed changes to the draft plan. Public comments were accepted at the meeting.
Watch the Meeting - Jan. 25 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Numerous public comments were made and the committee heard a presentation on goat grazing for weed management.
Watch the Meeting - Dec. 5 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee Study Session
Study session for in-depth Q&A between committee members and staff.
Watch the Meeting - Oct. 26 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Staff provided updates to the management plan.
Watch the Meeting. - Oct. 13 – Weed Management Tour
- Oct. 11 – Open House and Community Discussion
- Oct. 2 – Draft plan, Story Map, and Survey Released
- Sept. 28 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Staff provided updates on the management plan.
Watch the Meeting - Aug. 24 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Lisa Blecker, Colorado State University Administrator, Pesticide Regulatory Education Program, gave a presentation on the Pesticide Labeling, Safety, and Approval Process.
Watch the Presentation - Aug. 22 – Weed Management Tour
- July 27 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee Site Visit
- July 25 – Weed Management Tour
- June 22 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Scott Nissen, Professor Emeritus at Colorado State University, gave a presentation on the Behavior of Cheatgrass.
Watch the Presentation
Community Survey
A community survey was open from Oct. 2–19, 2023. The survey received 1,076 responses, including 555 open-ended responses. Questions were designed to solicit thoughts on weeds as threat to ecosystem health and their contribution to wild fire risk, and opinions about alternative weed management programs, ranging from no herbicide use to herbicides as the primary tool. Respondents were asked to refer to the initial draft plan and companion story map for more information and examples.
Community Survey Results
Email Updates
Sign up for news alerts to be notified about updates to the management plan.
Herbicide and Roadside Mowing
Parks & Open Space will not be conducting any aerial herbicide applications until the integrated weed management plan has been updated and a decision on whether to resume applications has been made.
Daily Planned Herbicide Applications
Herbicides currently applied to open space areas that are open to the public are reported below.
If you have any concerns or would like to learn more about the herbicides being applied, please contact the National Pesticide Information Center.
Daily Planned Roadside Mowing
Mowing currently being performed along county maintained roads are reported below.
Management Practices
The invasive plant and weed management program is responsible for weed control on:
- 25,000 acres of land designated as natural areas.
- 7,000 acres of agricultural leased land that serves as wildlife habitat.
- 685 miles of county maintained road right-of-way.
Aerial Herbicide Applications
Parks & Open Space will not be conducting any aerial herbicide applications until the integrated weed management plan has been updated and a decision on whether to resume applications has been made.
Eradication
The Boulder County Noxious Weed Management Plan requires eradication of all List A species, as mandated by the state, and containment and suppression measures for 13 of the List B species identified as significantly troublesome in Boulder County. Of the 18 List A species, 10 are currently known to exist in Colorado, and nine of those are known to exist in Boulder County.
Staff utilizes an integrated pest management approach to controlling weeds that include mowing, hand pulling, insect bio-control, cultural control (tilling weeds and planting desirable vegetation), and herbicide application. Herbicides are only used in targeted areas.
When controlling noxious weeds on open space properties, staff are careful to use the least damaging and most effective weed control strategies available. Staff always consider the local ecology to maintain and support the rich ecosystems of open space lands.
Goals
- Minimize the occurrence of weeds and associated negative impacts on native plant communities, agricultural lands, and public corridors.
- Utilize an integrated weed management approach in order to prevent the introduction of new invasive plant species, eradicate isolated or limited populations, and contain and manage weed species that are well established within the county.
- Stay current with weed management research and innovative management techniques that may increase effectiveness of weed control and/or decrease environmental impacts.
- Promote education and awareness of new and potential invasive weed species.
Cheatgrass
Cheatgrass (downy brome) reduces native plant diversity, impacting resources for wildlife including native pollinators and increasing the risk for negative outcomes during wildfires.
On June 22, Scott Nissen, Professor Emeritus at Colorado State University, gave a presentation to the Boulder County Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee on the behavior of cheatgrass and the associated impacts to open space and natural areas.
What You Can Do
- Identification and do not plant them in your garden. If they already grow in your garden, remove them.
- Report a Concern on private property.
- Parks, Environment, Gardening & Agriculture Volunteer Opportunities
- Educate friends and neighbors who have these plants growing on their properties. Their plants will likely spread to your property.
- Minimize spread of weeds on open space by staying on the trails, feeding horses weed free hay, and cleaning weed seeds from your hiking boots or bicycle tires before recreating on open space property.
- Attend a Weed Identification and Management Workshop through CSU Extension.
Report Weeds
On Private Property
The Community Planning & Permitting Department is responsible for enforcing compliance with noxious weed regulations in unincorporated Boulder County.
On Open Space
If you see noxious weeds on open space, please let us know.