County News

By Roger Baker
County Manager

3/2/2006 - We had a first reading of another County ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting of the Gilpin County Commissioners. As I’ve noted before, we only consider one or two ordinances a year—some years we haven’t passed any—and this one will likely generate some debate when it comes back for final consideration in a public hearing on April 4.

  This ordinance is designed to bring us into compliance with state law regarding the management of harmful weeds. The specific state statute—it’s in the agriculture section, Title 35, Article 5.5—bears the short title of the “Colorado Noxious Weed Act.”

  As summarized in the legislative declaration, “It is the intent of the general assembly that the advisory commissioners appointed by counties and municipalities under the article, in developing undesirable plant management plans, consider…all appropriate and available plant and management methods…”

  The law goes on to state that “each county of the state shall adopt a noxious weed management plan for all of the unincorporated lands within the county.” We’ve done this, though we’re going to be considering adopting an updated one. And we’ve had a County Weed Board for years. So some things aren’t changing.

  But what is different is the degree to which we are spelling out the policies, procedures and powers under which the County may, in unusual circumstances (such as species mandated for eradication by the State), actually go onto private land if the landowner is uncooperative, perform necessary weed eradication, and bill the landowner for the work performed.

  Obviously, that’s something that makes everyone a little uncomfortable; I think the Commissioners are all very committed to private property rights. But unfortunately, weeds don’t respect property boundaries. An infestation of oxeye daisy on your property will spread to your neighbor’s property next year, and maybe to the highway right-of-way the year after that. And then we’ve got a real problem.

  We have a lot of restrictions built into the Ordinance, and there’s an appeals process as well. And we hope we’ll never have to use some of the less pleasant provisions. Certainly our County Extension Agent, Irene Shonle, is tireless in her educational efforts, pointing out the dangers of these weeds and the best ways for private landowners to deal with them. You can find a lot of information on her website, www.coopext.colostate.edu/gilpin, and she will have classes on weed ID and control this summer.

  We’ll also post the draft ordinance itself on the County’s website, co.gilpin.co.us. Or you can get a copy by calling the Community Development Department at 303-582-5831, ext. 4.

  The public hearing for Ordinance 06-02 is scheduled for 10:30 on Tuesday, April 4; everyone is welcome to come and give their opinions, or if you want them submitted for the record, you can mail them to me at P O Box 366, Central City 80427, or email them to rbaker@co.gilpin.co.us.