FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 18, 2020
Contact: Mary Peck, 720-428-0441, mary.peck@state.co.us
Broomfield, Colo. - Governor Jared Polis has designated May 16-23, 2020 as Noxious Weed Awareness Week in Colorado, noting that noxious weeds are a threat to the state’s agricultural crops and infrastructure, as well as to wildlife habitat. As the 2020 growing season gets underway, the Colorado Department of Agriculture is proud to acknowledge the accomplishments of the state’s integrated network of noxious weed management agencies.
County noxious weed control programs, municipalities, state and federal agencies, conservation districts and private, non-profit organizations have collaboratively helped contain and suppress, and in some cases, eliminate significant populations of Colorado's 79 designated noxious weeds. These non-native plants are often able to out-compete native and other desirable plants, resulting in loss of agriculturally productive pasture and range land, along with native plant communities that sustain indigenous wildlife.
“Weed Awareness Week is an opportunity for the state’s residents to celebrate the hard work of noxious weed managers, and to learn more about noxious weeds at local events being held around the state,” said Steve Ryder, State Weed Coordinator with the Colorado Department of Agriculture. “Noxious weeds are not only costly to agriculture, but also reduce viable wildlife habitat, present heightened wildfire danger and contribute to soil erosion. Some are even poisonous, to both livestock and humans.”
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, which is the guiding statute for noxious weed control efforts around the state. The Act states that all residents of Colorado have a duty to manage noxious weeds on lands they own or manage. The Colorado Department of Agriculture provides support to local governing bodies in their efforts to manage noxious weeds, while coordinating management efforts at the local, state and federal levels.
For more information about local Weed Awareness Week events in your area, contact the Colorado Weed Management Association. Read the Governor’s Weed Awareness Week Proclamation here.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture exists to support the state's agriculture industry and serve the people of Colorado through regulation, advocacy and education. Our mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado agriculture, promote a safe and high-quality food supply, protect consumers, and foster responsible stewardship of the environment and natural resources.