Vegetation Management
Noxious weed cost-share program available
Garfield County and the Bookcliff, Mount Sopris, and South Side Conservation Districts are once again offering landowners financial assistance for controlling noxious weeds and trees on their properties. Cost-sharing is available for all Garfield County and State of Colorado listed noxious weeds and watch list species, including Russian olive, tamarisk, and Siberian elm trees.
Application | Ditch cost-share application
Noxious weeds of Garfield County photo contest
Garfield County Vegetation Management is accepting photograph entries for the annual “Noxious Weeds of Garfield County” calendar photo contest. Winning photos may receive up to $300 and will be featured in the 2024 calendar. Photo entries are not limited to noxious weeds, but can also include wildlife, livestock, weed mitigation efforts, native habitats, biocontrol, natural landscapes, agricultural settings, and more. You can submit as many photos as you like, but please note that they must be from Garfield County, Colorado. Photos from outside of Garfield County will not be considered.
County mulls noxious weed ordinance
Garfield County is considering a proposed ordinance that enforces the management of noxious weeds on real properties in unincorporated areas of the county. Garfield County Noxious Weed ordinance 2023-2 pinpoints non-compliant landowners with large infestations of weeds and gives Garfield County Vegetation Management another tool to try and mitigate the problem.
noxious weed ordinance
Garfield County Achieves Biocontrol Milestone
Garfield County is the first county in the state to have its own Russian knapweed biocontrol nursery and distribution program. Since 2000, Garfield County Vegetation Management has worked with the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Palisade Insectary to release various biocontrol agents on noxious weeds throughout the county. Biological control, or biocontrol, is the use of natural enemies – such as insects or pathogens – to help control weeds or other pest organisms.
Noxious Weeds of Colorado: 14th Edition
The latest edition of “Noxious Weeds of Colorado” by Colorado Weed Management Association is available for interested landowners. This pocket-sized field guide includes the A, B and C Colorado State Noxious Weed Lists as well as a Watch List. Species are listed in alphabetical order and each comes with a detailed description as well as pictures to help in identification. Stop by our office to pick up a copy. We are located in Rifle at 195 W. 14th Street, Building D, Suite 310.
Biocontrol in Garfield County
Last year, approximately 3600 biocontrol agents were released for the control of Russian knapweed in Garfield County. More are scheduled to be released in 2019, and the insects seem to feel right at home.
Biocontrol
Weed management plan
The Garfield County Weed List provides guidelines for managing designated noxious weeds which represent a threat to the continued economic, environmental and agricultural value of lands in Garfield County. This plan provides for the implementation of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act by detailing integrated management options for designated noxious weeds.
Weed management plan
West Nile precautions
Mosquitoes are appearing in unusually high numbers in Garfield County, prompting the risk of West Nile virus infections. Take precautions, West Nile mosquitoes appeared in five Colorado counties, including Mesa County last year.
mosquito counts
Contact
Steve Anthony, Garfield County Vegetation Manager, 970-945-1377, ext. 4305
Sarah LaRose, Program Coordinator, 970-945-1377 ext. 4315