Steamboat Pilot & Today

Steamboat Springs — Landowners in Routt County can take advantage of a weed control program that will benefit their property as well as preserve the quality of the Northwest Colorado landscape.

Routt County offers weed control work at a reduced fee for eight types of noxious weeds.

"This is basically a thing we do to let people know the weeds are still here," said Matt Custer, weed supervisor with the Routt County Extension Office.

Custer said it was important to get the word out to landowners and encourage them to take part in curbing the spread of weeds in Routt County.

The county extends the reduced weed control work to landowners every year.

Landowners can get assistance in controlling leafy spurge, yellow toadflax, Dalmatian toadflax, whitetop, Russian knapweed, diffuse knapweed, spotted knapweed and meadow knapweed.

People who need help identifying noxious weeds can pick up a full-color brochure on different noxious weeds at the extension office in the courthouse annex.

C.J. Mucklow, director of the extension office, encouraged people to participate in a June 27 weed tour to clear up any questions about the invasive plants.

The tour runs from 5 to 7 p.m.

People who wish to control weeds on their property first need to know what to look for, Mucklow said.

Some weeds, such as the yellow toadflax that produces flowers resembling snapdragons, might be mistaken for common flowers or plants.

Routt County's weed control runs landowners $40 per hour plus the cost of chemicals.

People who wish to take advantage of the noxious weed spraying can call the Routt County Weed Control Office any time of the day at 870-5246 to leave a message.

The weed supervisor will return all calls.

Landowners who request weed control must meet with the weed crew before work begins to identify areas affected by noxious weeds and are asked to take part in the work.

Noxious weeds are not native to Colorado and pose a threat because no natural predators or diseases exist to keep them in check.

The role landowners play in combating noxious weeds on their property remains essential to the county's success in controlling any further spread, Mucklow said.

"I don't know that I can overemphasize how important it is," he said.

Noxious weeds destroy hay meadows, invade critical elk habitat, poison livestock, degrade riparian areas and cost residents money to control their spread.

Their existence endangers native plant populations, agriculture, wildlife and property values.

"Our goal is not to let any new weed infestation (begin)," Mucklow said. "We want to hold our own."