“WHAT ARE NOXIOUS WEEDS?”
Noxious weeds are not native to the United States and therefore have no natural predators (such as insects and diseases). Noxious weeds establish in disturbed soils caused by construction, travel, and recreation. They are transported to new sites by machinery, recreational vehicles, people and animals, and waterways. The Colorado Department of Agriculture classifies these weeds as “A-List”, “B-List”, or “C-List” species. Fremont County Weed Management focuses primarily on managing and controlling A- and B-List species. A-List species, such as Elongated Mustard, Myrtle Spurge, Japanese Knotweed, Giant Reed, and Yellow Starthistle, are top priority in the state and are designated for eradication.
“HOW CAN I PREVENT SPREADING NOXIOUS WEEDS?”
- Use certified weed free forage.
- Before proceeding to a new site, clean all mud and seeds from equipment, animals, and clothing.
- Early Detection: Report any new infestations to the land manager or contact Fremont County Weed Management.
- Rapid Response: Control new infestations quickly, before they establish and present an even bigger problem.
“WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CONTROL NOXIOUS WEEDS?”
In agriculture, invasive weeds decrease forage and crop production, cause soil erosion, and are poisonous to wildlife and livestock. In other areas, invasive weeds displace native vegetation, reduce habitat for native and endangered species, degrade riparian areas, and decrease property value.
“HOW DOES FREMONT COUNTY WEED MANAGEMENT OPERATE?”
Fremont County Weed Management collaborates with a variety of agencies and landowners. County, State, and Federal agencies along with researchers, private organizations, interest groups, and land managers often contribute funding, time, labor, and expertise to create large scale weed management efforts. For an example, please see the article below about the Upper Arkansas Cooperative Weed Management Area and its success on Fourmile Creek.
