Weed Wranglers is a contractor that has been hired to control noxious weeds on our open space. They are searching for and treating invasive weeds in order to prevent them from out-competing the desirable native species.

They are using herbicides diluted in water. These are materials licensed and approved by both the Environmental Protection Agency and the Colorado Department of Agriculture that are specifically designed to kill undesirable weed species while leaving desirable plants unharmed. Specific materials are chosen based on the weed species present, the time of year, weather conditions, and recommendations by sources such as the Colorado State University Extension Service. The Weed Wranglers technicians are trained to carefully apply herbicides only on areas where noxious weeds are present.

These materials are chosen for their ability to effectively kill undesirable plants, and have been extensively tested for adverse effects on humans, animals, birds, insects, aquatic species, and other environmental factors. Application technicians are liable for using herbicides in compliance with the product label, which is a legal document attached to every herbicide container. The risk of acute or chronic injury to humans, pets, or wildlife is quite low – well within the range of other normal daily activities.

The best practice is to stay out of areas that have had herbicide applied until the material has dried. Depending on weather conditions, this can be anywhere from a few minutes to two hours. The Weed Wranglers technicians will post yellow flags showing the date and specifically which products have been applied.

The state of Colorado has established noxious weed laws to limit the spread of invasive species and preserve the native environment. These laws require land managers such as HOAs and Metropolitan Districts to actively manage noxious weeds. There can be fines levied by the county if weeds are not managed appropriately. In addition, the presence of invasive noxious weeds can have a significant effect on property values and reduce the presence of native wildlife.
Weed management is an ongoing requirement to ensure that we can continue to enjoy our beautiful open spaces.