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.
 The
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.
- 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
- 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.
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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