Even if the property is organic, the landowner is still required to control all noxious weeds and stop their spread to neighboring lands. Some species are mandatory eradication which requires more work and less flexibility in their control. Landowner Specialists are available to help you identify the weeds on your property and develop a management plan that meets your needs as well as fulfills the obligation to control the noxious weeds.

Along Weld County roads, the Weed Division spot treats noxious weeds two times a year. If you do not want this operation carried out in front of your organic property, it is the landowner’s responsibility to submit a written request that addresses the following items.

            1. Who is making the request.
            2. Address of the property.
            3. Length (in feet) not to be treated.
            4. Contact info including mailing address and phone number
            5. Answers to the following questions:
                        A. The noxious weed species present in the right-of-way.
                        B. How they are going to be controlled (stopped from going to seed and spreading by root).
                        C. Timing that the control measures will be implemented.

The Weed Division will call the landowner both verifying receipt of the request and to discuss acceptance of the plan. If the plan is not followed and the noxious weeds are allowed to go to seed, the Weed Division will start treating the infested sites on the following pass.

The following links may be of assistance to you and your operation.
The National Organic Program                      

http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm

Colorado Department of Agriculture – Organic pages