The Rio Grande County Weed District recently announced that the Rio Grande County Board of Commissioners reclassified Puncture Vine (Goatheads) from List C to List B on the Noxious Weed List on April 16. The weed district has noticed an outbreak significant enough to take more control, instead of allowing the results of the situation to expand beyond its reach. 

Noxious weeds are non-native, invasive plants that are required to be controlled by the Colorado Noxious Weed Advisory Act, Article 5.5 of Title 35. 

“List B weeds consist of species which the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture, in consultation with the Colorado Noxious Weed Advisory Committee and local governments, will develop and implement state noxious weed management plans designed to stop the continued spread of these species. List C weeds are species which the Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture will develop programs designed to support the efforts of local governing bodies to facilitate more effective, integrated management efforts on public and private lands. The goal will be to provide additional research and educational and biological control resources to jurisdictions that choose to require management of List C species. Updates of the State Weed Law and listed weed species can be obtained online from the Colorado Department of Agriculture at www.ag.colorado.gov." 

This means the landowner must eradicate the plant by seed stage with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan of choice; such as pulling, mowing, chemical, discing, insects, or grazing. Rio Grande County believes this reclassification would benefit the community, waterways, recreation, and agriculture. 

The Rio Grande County Weed District can help with tool rentals, learning materials, and advice.  

For more information, contact the weed district’s supervisor, Armando Ross, by emailing rgweed@riograndecounty.org, by cell at 719-580-0089. If you still have questions, contact the office phone at 719-852-4804.