Eliminate Noxious Weeds
Many weeds are slow to establish, but will grow and expand rapidly once they have taken hold. Removing noxious weeds from your property helps prevent their spread to other properties in Cortez and agricultural land outside of the City limits. The early detection and removal of noxious weeds is important to inhibiting growth.
How to Dispose of Noxious Weeds:
- Pull the weed out by the root, if possible. Hand pulling or digging out the roots is most effective when the soil is moist, either in late spring or after a deep rain.
- If the plant is blooming, bag it to reduce the spread of seeds.
- Throw weeds away in the trash. Do not add weeds to a burn pile or compost.
- Mowing or cutting back weeds does not reduce the overall population of noxious weeds, although it can help control the overall spread.
Types of Noxious Weeds in Cortez
The City of Cortez specifically names the following plants as "undesirable" in the City Code:
The Colorado Weed Management Association (CWMA), also has information on additional types of noxious weeds and regularly publishes a comprehensive booklet of noxious weeds in Colorado. You can learn more about the CWMA at their website: https://cwma.org/. The City of Cortez encourages the removal of all noxious weeds listed in the CWMA directory.
Noxious Weeds in Montezuma County
Montezuma County maintains a noxious weed program, with the mission to "implement a coordinated undesirable plant program utilizing integrated management methods to ensure that all lands within Montezuma County are effectively managed to meet the intent of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act. Management methods include, but are not limited to: education, prevention, good land stewardship, biological, chemical, cultural, and mechanical." You can learn more about this program at: https://montezumacounty.org/noxious-weed-program/
You can also download the 2023 Montezuma County Noxious Weed Guide at this link.
Enforcement of Noxious Weeds
Enforcement of noxious weeds is outlined in Section 12-9A of Chapter 12, Article 12 of the City Code. The Code requires that property owners eliminate "undesirable plants" from their property and gives the City authority to enforce this requirement. If you have received a notice to eliminate noxious weeds, please do so within 30 days of receiving the notice. In most cases, the Code Enforcement Division of the City will work with property owners within reasonable expectations. If you need assistance with a code enforcement issue, please call the Building Department at (970) 565 - 3402.
Learn More about Code Enforcement at: https://www.cortezco.gov/422/Property-Maintenance-Enforcement.
Responsibility for Maintenance of Noxious Weeds
Property owners are responsible to remove undesirable plants from their private yards, sidewalks, and alleyways. The images below demonstrate responsibility for maintenance in alleys and curb/gutter adjacent to private property.
The City of Cortez is responsible for removing undesirable plants from City parks, roadways, medians, and any City-owned property. Please call Public Works or Parks & Recreation Department to report any noxious weeds on City property.