Weed law enforcement
Regretfully, some property owners/managers are in the predicament of not meeting the requirements of State and County rules regarding noxious weeds. When this occurs, Vegetation Management staff is tasked with the duty of motivating the non-compliant landowner to manage their noxious weeds. The State weed law is very specific in outlining the processes and procedures the local governing authority must follow.
In general, after receiving a noxious weed report, Vegetation Management staff will:
Verify property ownership by searching the County Assessor’s database;
Attempt to contact the property owner by phone, certified mail, a site visit or any combination of these methods;
Verify if the complaint is valid and warrants further action (site visit or alternative verification method);
Follow what the Colorado Noxious Weed Act specifies as the roles that landowners and Garfield County should follow; and
Conclude with the noxious weeds being subjected to voluntary management.
Contact the vegetation management staff for more information.
Note: Noxious weed enforcement proceedings are generally implemented for plants with uncommon or rare distribution; when a neighboring property owner registers a complaint; or for Colorado Department Agriculture list A noxious weeds.