Log In


Reset Password

County to enforce noxious weed controls

Severe cases could mean warrants to enter private land for treatment
The county might have to spray weeds at a property at County Roads 21 and G after numerous notices to the property owner.

Montezuma County is stepping up enforcement to control noxious weeds on private property when they get out of control and impact neighbors.

A problematic property on Road 21 is the first case the county is going after because an expanding field of hoary cress and Russian knapweed has been ignored for eight years and is hurting a neighboring farmer.

County noxious weed manager Bonnie Loving said she has sent compliance letters and visited the property to persuade the owner to control the weeds as required by the Colorado Weed Management Act and county policies.

“It’s devastating a neighbors property, so it’s time we step up,” she said.

A farmer adjacent to the weed-infested property in the McElmo Canyon area told the county commissioners that wind-blown seeds threaten his hay field operation.

“I’ve put in a lot of labor and costs to control weeds blowing onto my fields from another property,” said Mark Peters.

The problem is so severe that county officials said it is prepared to use its ultimate authority and control the weeds if the property owner does not by fall.

“The next step is to form a weed management plan approved by the commissioners for that property, then get a warrant to access the property to treat the weeds in late fall,” Loving said. “Maybe that will give the owners time to step up and handle the problem.”

In addition to the warrant to access the private land, a lien may be placed against the property until the contract costs of noxious weed treatment is paid, she said.

Loving said there are multiple county properties that are at the severe noxious weed-infestation level, and efforts are underway to persuade the owners to take responsibility for the problem.

“Effectively controlling noxious weeds is not a onetime event, but an ongoing project with your land,” she stated in a compliance letter.

Protecting agricultural interests from noxious weed infestation has become a priority for the county the past couple of years. Officials said they are willing to control serious weed problems on private property if necessary.

“This action is the proof of the pudding of what we are going to do about weeds in this county,” said commissioner Keenan Ertel. “It’s time to start making this program work.”

For information about weed management and programs, contact the county noxious weed department at 970-565-0580, or visit the Montezuma County website.

jmimiaga@the-journal.com

Mar 16, 2019
Noxious weeds a concern on Menefee Mountain
Jun 28, 2017
Water leak on Colorado 145 prompts traffic concerns
Jun 26, 2017
Photo: Cortez Farmers Market in full swing
Jun 8, 2017
Montezuma County creates volunteer program to combat weeds
Jul 15, 2016
County commissioners struggle to control noxious weeds
Feb 28, 2014
Weed control rises as priority for county