Weed Control
Colorado has established noxious weed laws to limit the spread of invasive species and preserve the native environment. These laws require land managers such as HOAs and Metropolitan Districts to actively manage noxious weeds. Weed management is an ongoing requirement to ensure that we can continue to enjoy our beautiful open spaces and preserve property values.
Our landscape vendor performs multiple applications of herbicide during a season, starting in the spring with a pre-emergent weed spray, and further applications throughout the growing season. The District’s landscape service contract does not include hand-pulling of weeds in open space areas (only in planted landscape beds), as the __________ of acres of open space make this cost-prohibitive. The District has been working with High Plains Environmental Center to help assess the proper time to apply weed control in the native grass areas, as well as the overall open space management strategy.
Typical treatments include a fertilizer and pre-emergent weed spray in the spring, an early growing season weed spray for turf and native areas, a late season weed spray for turf and native areas, and treatment for planted landscape beds. These treatments are chosen for their ability to effectively kill undesirable plants, and have been extensively tested for adverse effects on humans, animals, birds, insects, aquatic species, and other environmental factors. Application technicians are responsible for using herbicides in compliance with the product label, which is a legal document attached to every herbicide container. The risk of acute or chronic injury to humans, pets, or wildlife is quite low – well within the range of other normal daily activities.
Once the product is dry, is safe for exposure to humans or pets. It dries very quickly, especially in warm temperatures, but may take up to several hours depending on conditions. We recommend keeping children and pets away from the treated areas until the herbicide has completely dried. Small yellow warning flags are displayed for at least 24 hours in the treated areas. For those who are very sensitive to odors, the smell should dissipate quickly. The NACs (nature activity centers) and paved trail system are the areas best suited for pedestrians and dog walking.
Residents sometimes ask if they are allowed to hand pull weeds if they wish – the answer is yes (but no mowing or weed whacking in common areas, please). If you are interested in doing a volunteer effort, our field services team can pick up and dispose of piles of weeds – please contact _____________ to arrange this – and thank you for your contribution to the beauty of our open spaces!