The Summit County Weed Control Department identifies and manages noxious weeds on all County rights of way and properties, as required by state law. In addition to managing County lands, the Weed Control Department works closely with local municipalities, Denver Water, U.S. Forest Service and the Colorado Department of Transportation to help control weeds on their properties.
Summit County Weed Control conducts community education to support local awareness and management of noxious weeds. We work with homeowner associations, schools, volunteer groups and individual property owners.
Colorado Noxious Weed Management Fund Grants provide financial assistance to communities, weed control districts, or other entities engaged in cooperative efforts to manage noxious weeds. For information about the grants, visit the Colorado Department of Agriculture website.
In partnership with Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Copper Mountain Resort and Vail Resorts Management Company, the National Forest Foundation awarded the Summit County Weed Control Department a grant from the Ski Conservation and Forest Stewardship Fund.
Increase the capacity and effectiveness of both Summit County and White River National Forest noxious weed management efforts.
The Summit County Weed Control Department treated two clear-cut areas selected by the U.S. Forest Service: approximately 225 acres off of Barton Road near the Peak 7 neighborhood, and approximately 325 acres near the Gold Hill Neighborhood in Breckenridge. On these sites, clear cutting for wildfire mitigation in previous years resulted in increased noxious weed populations.
The Summit County Weed Control Department spent 125.5 staff hours treating noxious weeds throughout two areas. Noxious weeds present within these areas include: musk thistle, Canada thistle, bull thistle, plumeless thistle, oxeye daisy, yellow toadflax and scentless chamomile. After treatment and eradication work, recreational users of this land will see more native species establishing in the project areas and reduced noxious weed infestations. The restoration efforts have enhanced big game winter and wildlife forage and habitat areas.
The Summit County Weed Control Department appreciates the opportunity to work on this project and would like to thank the National Forest Foundation, the Ski Conservation and Forest Stewardship Fund and USFS for this successful partnership.
Operations are complete for the 2018 season. Look for us beginning June 1, 2019.