Noxious Weed Management

Goals

The goals of the Noxious Weed Management program are to:

• Prevent establishment of invasive non-native plant populations.
• Manage Open Space properties to reestablish and maintain healthy, diverse ecosystems.
• Increase effectiveness of noxious weed control by implementing watershed management approach and utilizing adaptive weed management techniques.

In compliance with Title 35 Article 5.5, Colorado Noxious Weed Act, The City of Westminster employs integrated methods to manage all Colorado Department of Agriculture listed noxious weeds which are present within their properties. Integrated Pest Management strategy assists in diagnosing thresholds for the management of pests, identifying / inventorying / monitoring target species, determining prevention and planning, and directing appropriate control methods.

Four of 36 CDA-listed species in our City are classified as List A, which mandates management with the goal of eradication. List A species are: Hairy willow-herb (Epilobium hirsutum), Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum), Myrtle spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites), and Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria).

Aspects

The five main aspects of noxious weed management:

• Educational - Provide information and increase awareness of the detrimental effects of non-native invasive species. For more information, visit:
  • Colorado Department of Agriculture
  • CSU Extensions
  • Colorado Weed Management Association
  • CSU Extensions Natural Resources
• Biological - Treatments include the release of effective obligatory insects and grazing with goats. See Biological Controls.
• Cultural - Cultural control involves the cultivation of desirable species at sites where weeds have been effectively controlled in an effort to reduce the reestablishment of noxious weeds. See Desirable Species Control.
• Mechanical - Utilize mechanical and physical treatments, such as mowing, hand pulling and prescribed fire.
• Chemical - Targeted applications of selective herbicides using the lowest effective recommended rate.