Noxious Weeds

FAQs

1. I need help in reporting a noxious weed that I have found

1. You can find addresses and parcel numbers on the City of Steamboat Springs interactive map.  Use the arrows to find “Assessor’s Website” and click on the more info link.  The property address will be located on the top left of the page.  If no address is listed please use Parcel# when entering in location on CityView.

2. What are noxious weeds?

1. Noxious weeds are invasive plants that are not native to Colorado. They pose a serious threat to native plant populations, agriculture, wildlife, recreation and property values. Noxious weeds form dense monocultures that crowd out native and desirable plant species, robbing desired vegetation of sunlight, soil nutrients and water.  
2. Routt County has identified 25 species to watch in this area:
   1. Bighead knapweed, Black Henbane, Common Tansy, Diffuse Knapweed, Garlic Mustard, Meadow Knapweed, Myrtle Spurge, Orange Hawkweed, Scotch Thistle, Whitetop/ Hoary Cress, Bulbous Bluegrass, Bull Thistle, Canada Thistle, Common Mullein, Curly Dock, Dalmatian Toadflax, Hoary Alyssum, Houndstongue, Leafy Surge, Musk Thistle, Oxeye Daisy, Russian Knapweed, Spotted Knapweed, Sulfur Cinquefoil, Yellow Toadflax, field bind weed, and scentless chamomile
3. To be considered a noxious weed, species must meet certain criteria, and are reviewed by committees at the State and local level. The State develops its list with a committee made up of private landowners, weed management professionals, weed scientists, local governments, agricultural producers, resource specialists and environmental organizations. The county list is made from the state list, but other species can be added if needed. Local landowners make up Routt County's committee named the Noxious Weed Advisory Board and who report recommendation to the County Commissioners and City Council for final approval.

4. How should I manage noxious weeds on my property?

1. Most management information can be found in the pocket guide link above.  If not found there then further information for many noxious weed can be found here, Noxious Weed Species ID | Department of Agriculture
2. Need further help in identifying a noxious weed or want to talk further about best management practices, then you can contact your local county weed manager or local CSU Extension agent
   1. Routt County Weed Program- (970)870-5246 Email the Routt County Weed Program
   2. CSU Extension Agent- (970)879-0825 Email the Routt County Extension Office 

5. Is it against the law to have noxious weeds on your property?

1. Short answer YES, if a noxious weed is not properly being managed on private land which is listed as a list A species or a population of list B species designated for eradication and meets the criteria under CRS 35-5.5-108.5 and 35-5.5-109 these property owners could be subject to enforcement action found under the state’s Noxious Weed Act.

6. Who addresses noxious weeds in the City?

1. Private land complaints and enforcement
   1. Greg Potember- Code Compliance Officer
2. Streets and Rights-of Ways
   • The City of Steamboat Springs has hired a private contractor SaveATree, to spray for weeds including whitetop plants. Spraying may occur as many as three times throughout the spring, summer, and fall. 
   • Once the herbicide has dried, children and pets may walk through the sprayed area if needed. Dry times depend on weather but typically run an hour to two hours after application. As a precaution, children and pets should stay off sprayed areas for 24 hours.
   • Depending on the weed, plants usually see some color change within a week and complete browning normally occurs in two to three weeks.
   • For further information on street and public Right of Way mitigation please contact David Van Winkle- Street Superintendent
3. Parks and Open Space
   1. Jenny Carey- Open Space and Trails Supervisor

7. I need help identifying if a plant growing is a noxious weed

1. Help in identifying a noxious weed or to talk further about best management practices, you can contact your local county weed manager or local CSU Extension agent
   1. Routt county Weed Manager- Email Tiffany Carlson
   2. CSU Extension Agent- Routt County Extension (970)879-0825 coopext_routt@mail.colostate.edu

8. Visit the Routt County Weed Program page to find private contractors who can help control noxious weeds on my property