The Town of Vail manages weeds according to the Town of Vail Weed Management Plan and the Noxious Weed Ordinance. Current target areas include 32 miles of residential roadways, 11 miles of frontage road areas, 12 miles of recreation path and over 250 acres of open space and park areas.

A 2007 inventory identified more than 25 species of Noxious Weeds in Vail as listed on the Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed List. Detailed information about these and other plants on the Colorado Noxious Weed List can be found on the Colorado Department of Agriculture website. Fact Sheets provide plant characteristics, photos and control recommendations.

Vail is dedicated to implementing Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques. IPM recommends four basic methods to control weed populations.  These methods consist of cultural, mechanical, biological, and chemical controls. Check out Weed Management 101 for more information on IPM and for quick tips on noxious weed management.

Notification signs will be placed at neighborhood entrances at least 24 hours in advance of spraying activities.

In open space and park areas, flags will be placed at the edges of application areas and will remain in place a minimum of 48 hours. While the areas are considered safe to enter once the herbicides dry, it is recommended that dogs and people refrain from using these areas when the flags are in place.

If you wish to be personally notified prior to spraying in your area, call 970-479-2158 or email weeds@vailgov.com with your name, address and phone number to be placed on the notification list. Notification will include one phone call at least one week in advance of spraying operations, and a second phone call at least 48 hours in advance.

In 2017, the Town of Vail has partnered with the Forest Service and Western Colorado Conservation Corps to treat weeds along the Town Boundary and USFS property to battle significant noxious weed infestations. This collaboration is on-going as we battle noxious weed disbursement in the greater Vail area. 

Every year, the Town of Vail evaluates private property for noxious weed infestation in order to hold property owners accountable for town and state noxious weed ordinances. At the end of our evaluation period, property owners are notified only when they are in violation of town ordinance. If found to be in violation of the ordinance, property owners will be asked to provide a plan of action for management of invasive plants. Failure to comply with the ordinance may subject property owners to enforcement and/or fines.

We want to help you manage your noxious weeds as the spread of these invasive plants requires community wide effort. Email weeds@vailgov.com and schedule a FREE consultation.  

In addition to on-site advice, the town offers free Noxious Weeds of Colorado books and Colorado Weed Calendars, as well as other various pamphlets and brochures. Email weeds@vailgov.com for more information.

For more information on Noxious Weeds, why we manage them and their impact on Colorado, please visit the following links:

• Colorado Weed Management Association
• Colorado Department of Agriculture

Tune in every Wednesday during the summer on the Town of Vail's social media to learn more about the different species of noxious weeds you can find in the Vail Valley.