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Vegetation Management & Weed Control
The noxious weed department works throughout the county. Our mission is to halt the degradation of our environment by implementing an Integrated Weed Management Plan with the goal of preventing the introduction of new invaders, early recognition of those plants that do arrive and stopping the spread of common noxious weeds already present within the county.
Our program aims to reduce the effect of noxious weeds throughout the county, and to promote sustainable landscapes through long term weed management and control. We provide educational and technical assistance to landowners and public agencies to assist in finding the best control methods at each site.
Noxious weeds are a danger to our environment, wildlife, domestic animals and our economy. These species cost millions of dollars per year in damages to the environment and maintenance costs. Eliminating these invaders is easier the earlier they are identified.
What we Provide:
· Weed Management Plans (Fee $100)
· Direct assistance through a cost share for priority noxious weeds
· Educational programs
· Annual surveys of noxious weed populations throughout the county, which facilitates early detection and ensures a more cost effective, and successful eradication program.
· Organization and leadership of community weed control efforts
Rules and Regulations:
The County Weed Department adheres to the Colorado Noxious Weed Act. Under this act, the state of Colorado designates specific plants as noxious weeds, and places them in three categories emphasizing eradication and/or control based on species. Local advisory boards, can prioritize any CDA, based on occurrences in the local area. Noxious weeds have wide ranging ecological and economic impacts including reduced diversity and property values. Under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act local government is required to enforce the law, on both public and private property.
Mission Statement: Our mission is to preserve and protect the agricultural, natural, and wildlife habitat areas of Western Colorado by providing leadership and education in the long term management and control of noxious weeds through an integrated, sustainable approach to weed control.
Report a Weed
Weeds on the Colorado State Noxious Weed list are the priority of the noxious weed department. For these weeds we will visit the site and follow up with the property owner or agency responsible for the area. Our goal is to help make sure the weeds are controlled or eradicated based on species, through the best and most desired management approach. Sometimes this includes herbicides, biocontrols, mechanical control or a combination of methods. Each method has a specific time frame for control. Even for weeds for which eradication or control is not required, is it still helpful for us to know where they are. The county encourages all landowners to report any weed on the CDA list, because this helps us monitor the effects of the weeds throughout the county.
If you have any questions, please contact our office by email at jkolb@ouraycountyco.gov or by phone at (970) 626-9775 x7.
Weeds of Ouray County
Weed Identification
Classification A: Eradication is a must.
Classification B: Manage and control the spread of these species.
Classification C: Support the use of integrated management methods and provide educational research and biological control resources.
Class Schedule / Events (Coming Soon)
Ouray County Weed Plan
Approved Revegetation Mix for Ouray Area
Approved Revegetation Mix for Ridgway Area
2021 Ouray County Cost Share Application
Pesticide Sensitive Registry
Native Thistles (Coming Soon)
FAQ's
CDA Noxious Weed List
Current Weed Board Members
Ouray County Priority "B" Noxious Weeds
| Common Name | State Classification | County Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Absinthe Wormwood | B | B (Priority) |
| Black Henbane | B | B |
| Bull Thistle | B | B |
| Canada Thistle | B | B |
| Common Burdock | C | B |
| Common Mullein | C | B |
| Common Tansy | B | B |
| Dame's Rocket | B | B (Priority) |
| Diffuse Knapweed | B | B (Priority) |
| Downy Brome (Cheatgrass) | C | B |
| Hoary Cress / Whitetop | B | B |
| Houndstounge | B | B |
| Jointed Goatgrass | B | B |
| Musk Thistle | B | B |
| Oxeye Daisy | B | B |
| Perennial Pepperweed | B | B |
| Plumeless Thistle | B | B |
| Poison Hemlock | C | B |
| Quackgrass | B | B |
| Russian Knapweed | B | B |
| Salt Cedar / Tamarisk | B | B |
| Scotch Thistle | B | B |
| Wild Caraway | B | B |
| Yellow Toad Flax | B | B |
Ouray County Priority "C" Noxious Weeds
| Common Name | State Classification | County Classification |
|---|---|---|
| Kochia | C | C |
| Russian Thistle | C | C |