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Forestry and Noxious weeds

Environmental Technician
Tina Travis
tinatravis@elpasoco.com
Telephone: (719) 520-7839

Environmental Technician
Bryan Welding
bryanwelding@elpasoco.com
Telephone: (719) 520-7846

3255 Akers Drive
Colorado Springs, CO 80922

Administration > Environmental Division > Forestry and Noxious Weeds

Noxious Weeds

El Paso County is committed to developing and implementing policies, procedures, and standards for efficient mapping, monitoring, enforcement, education, and control of noxious weeds throughout El Paso County. The Environmental Division coordinates and monitors public and private control of noxious weeds utilizing integrated weed management techniques including mechanical (mowing, pulling), chemical (herbicide treatments), biological (insects), and cultural methods (re-seeding with native plants).

El Paso County Weed Management Plan

El Paso County Noxious Weeds and Control Methods 2013

Garden Smart Colorado

Colorado Noxious Weed List

Colorado Noxious Weed Act

Rules Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act

Biological Control

Noxious weeds are non-native to the United States. They are able to take over landscapes because they have no natural controls, predators, pathogens or competing vegetation that can keep them in check as does in their natural/native environment.

Biological control is the introduction natural enemies, typically insects, for the reduction of noxious weed populations to a tolerable level. The advantages of using natural controls is that they are inexpensive, safe for the environment and for human health, and they are self-propagating, which means that small numbers released may expand into large and persistent populations for long term pest control.

These insects are natural enemies of the targeted weeds that come from the weeds native ecosystem, thus a reunion of a target weed with its natural enemy. Properly tested and approved biological control agents will feed only on their targeted weed. They will not move to, or feed on, any other plant.

Once the insects are introduced to an area, it may take several years for them to become established and to reach a concentration where they will have an impact on the weed population. Biological control can be integrated with other practices to reduce weed populations. It is important to keep in mind that biological control is a slow process and will not eradicate noxious weeds. However, they do have their place in an integrated weed management program.

A List species objective is eradication. Biological control will not be sufficient and other methods must be employed.

For more information on biological control in Colorado, please contact the Palisade Insectary of the Colorado Department of Agriculture at: (866) 324-2963

http://www.colorado.gov/cs/Satellite/ag_Conservation/CBON/1251618488725

Cyphocleonus achates on Diffuse knapweed

Forestry

Forest Stewardship is defined as active management of forests and related resources to keep these lands in a productive and healthy condition for present and future generations, and to increase the economic, environmental, and social benefits of our land. This includes mapping, monitoring, enforcement, education, and management of tree diseases and forest pests.

El Paso County Forestry Best Management Practices

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Noxious Weeds and Forest Health

FAQ's

Additional Information Regarding Noxious Weeds and Forest Health

El Paso County Forestry and Weed Advisory Commission (FWAC)

The Forestry and Weed Advisory Commission was created by the Board of County Commissioners to protect the desires and interests of El Paso County that relate to the objectives, goals, and issues of forestry and noxious weed management.

The Commission meets the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 1:30 pm at the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility, 3255 Akers Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80922. For more information regarding the FWAC, please contact the Environmental Division at 520-7871.

Forestry and Weed Advisory Commission Bylaws

Current Appointees

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