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Parks & Open Space

5201 St. Vrain Road
Longmont, CO  80503
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tel (303) 678-6200
fax (303) 678-6180

Boulder County Fairgrounds
9595 Nelson Rd.
Affolter House
Longmont, CO  80501
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tel (303) 678-6235
fax (303) 678-6322

 

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Weeds

The Boulder County weed management program is responsible for weed control on approximately 25,000 acres of Parks & Open Space land designated as natural areas; 7,000 acres of agricultural leased land that also serves as wildlife habitat, and 685 miles of county maintained road right-of-way.

Weed PhotosThe Boulder County Noxious Weed Management Plan (371kb PDF) guides all management activities. The weed crew utilizes an integrated management approach consisting of herbicide application, mowing, hand pulling, insect bio-control, and cultural control. These are outlined in our Weed Management Policies and Procedures (100kb PDF) document. It must be recognized that not every tool can be successfully used in every situation and there will be site-specific needs that will require flexibility to achieve the best weed management.

Goals

  • Minimize the occurrence of weeds and associated negative impacts on native plant communities, agricultural lands, and public corridors within Boulder County
  • 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 in Boulder County

Current Management Activities and Highlights

  • Planned Herbicide Applications
    The following locations may be subject to herbicide* applications the week beginning October 13:
  • Rights-of-Way:
    Airport Rd.
    Arapahoe Rd.
    Baseline Rd.
    Cherryvale Rd.
    East County Line Rd.
    Flagg Drive
    Flagstaff Rd.
    Gold Hill Rd.
    Isabelle Rd.
    Jay Rd.
    Niwot Rd.
    Ouray Dr.
    Oxford Rd.
    Plateau Rd.
    Rogers Rd.
    South Boulder Rd.
    Sunshine Canyon Dr.
    Valmont Rd.
    Vermillion Rd.
    76th St.
    119th St.
    N. 53rd St.
    N. 55th St.
    N. 57th St.
    N. 63rd St.
    N. 79th St.
    N. 89th St.
    N. 115th St.
    Properties:
    Boulder County Fairgrounds
    Boulder County Recycling Center
    Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm
    Dodd Reservoir
    Rabbit Mountain
    Walden Ponds

    * Locations may be treated with Escort XP, Habitat, Hardball, Matrix, Milestone, Pathfinder II, Plateau, Telar XP or Tordon 22k


  • 5th Annual Volunteer Mediterranean Sage Weed Pull - On Saturday May10, 2008, this very successful event targeted Mediterranean sage, a “List A” noxious weed species, unique within the state to Boulder and Larimer County. 100 volunteers participated in the weed pull, covering approximately 275 acres of city, county open space and federal land on Table Mountain. A total of 600 volunteer hours were worked on this project.
  • The Yewth Eradicating Weeds Treating Habitat Program - The YEWTH program was made up of 19 teens that worked a total of 33 days during the summer. They went through a training period that focused on weed identification, weed protocols, threats of weeds and benefits of native plants. They had a very successful summer, which found them inventorying over 100 acres of weeds using GPS technology. The group also both hand pulled or dug 80 acres and inventoried over 820 acres to determine the infestation of Mediterranean Sage in Boulder County.
  • Weed Removal - In 2008, over 2674 Russian Olive Trees have been removed all across Boulder County. BCPOS is working towards a 95% eradication goal of Russian Olives by 2012.
  • Bio-Control Releases - There was a total of 16000 insects released in 2008. Insects distributed during 2008 were Mecinus janthinus for Dalmatian toadflax, Larinus minutus and Cyphocleonus ashates on diffuse knapweed, Aceria malherbae for field bindweed and Apthona species on leafy spurge.

Documents

What You Can Do

Management is a challenge, as weed problems in Boulder County are as varied as the county’s topography. Newly introduced weed species are a constant concern, with an influx of people from all parts of the country transporting weed seed by way of livestock and/or vehicles. It is important that property owners on the upper ends of Boulder County’s watersheds are aware of noxious weed issues and actively control weeds as necessary.

  • Recognize Noxious Weeds (97kb PDF) and do not plant them in your garden. If they already grow in your garden, remove them.
  • 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.
  • Go to a Volunteer Weed Pull

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