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
Management Plan Update
Herbicide & Roadside Mowing
Management Practices
Report Weeds
Boulder County Integrated Weed Management Plan
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 Integrated Weed Management Plan
The initial Draft Integrated Weed Management Plan is available for review. Staff are working on an updated plan based on public feedback and input from the Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee. The updated plan is scheduled to be released by Jan. 25, 2024.
Story Map
The Story Map serves as a companion to the draft plan. The Story Map provides some important planning context and case studies of lands where integrated weed management has already been implemented.
View the Story Map
Public Comments
Public comments were accepted from Oct. 2–19. 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 draft plan and companion story map for more information and examples.
Community Survey Results
Upcoming Meetings
- Jan. 25, 2024 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Staff will present the draft plan. Public comments will be accepted. - Feb. 22. 2024 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Staff will present the revised draft plan. Committee members will deliberate and make a recommendation to Board of County of County Commissioners. Public comments will not be accepted. - March/April 2024 TBD – Board of County Commissioners
The commissioners will hold a public hearing. Public comments will be accepted. - March/April 2024 TBD – Board of County Commissioners
The commissioners will deliberate and make a decision. Public comments will not be accepted.
Previous Events
- Dec. 5 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee Study Session
Study session for in-depth Q&A between committee members and staff. Public comments will not be accepted. - Oct. 26 – Parks & Open Space Advisory Committee
Staff provided updates to the management plan. - 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. - 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. - 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.
Email Updates
Sign up for news alerts to be notified about updates to the management plan.
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.
Daily Planned Roadside Mowing
Mowing currently being performed along county maintained roads are reported below.
Additional Information
Please call the weeds hotline at 303-441-3940 for daily updates.
If you have any concerns or would like to learn more about the herbicides being applied, please contact the National Pesticide Information Center.
Management
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.