Rio Grande County supervisor outlines coordinated noxious-weed management plan affecting Monte Vista
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Summary
Rio Grande County lead district supervisor Armando Ross briefed council on a county-backed weed-management plan aimed at stopping seed spread before seed stage; he said the plan is effective immediately and will involve towns and residents in the county.
Armando Ross, Rio Grande County lead district supervisor, told the council the county board unanimously approved a coordinated weed-management plan aimed at preventing noxious weeds from seeding and spreading.
Ross said the plan, approved by the state agriculture supervisor for the region, is effective immediately and will require coordinated efforts by towns and residents to control listed noxious weeds before they reach seed stage. “What this means is you have to control it before seed stage,” Ross said.
He described the program as a low-cost, community-based effort that has received both support and some pushback but noted visible community buy-in on cleanups of softball and school fields. Ross said the county has equipment—pull-behind and push units—that it can make available to towns and that rental is “$200 a day” for some larger machines; he said the county would work with Monte Vista on logistics and community education.
Why it matters: Noxious-weed control affects public rights-of-way, parks, school fields and private property; coordinated early-season management can limit future control costs and protect recreational and agricultural lands.
