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There are many noxious weeds in Colorado. Two of the most prevalent, intimidating and invasive noxious weeds in the Greenhorn Valley are the taurian thistle and the musk thistle.

The taurian thistle can grow 6 to 7 foot tall and are covered with very sharp spines and even the purple flower heads are covered with sharp spines. This thistle is by far the most rampant noxious weed in our valley. The musk thistles can grow 2 to 6 feet tall. Flowers that bloom on these two thistles can be found in shades of violet and pink. Both of these plants if left to go to seed after they bloom produce thousands of seed. Their seeds are dispersed mainly by the wind.

Both taurian thistle and musk thistle are biennial plants and their life cycle is finished in two growing seasons. The first year the plant lives as a rosette. During the second year the plant will grow fast, sending up a flowering stalk. This is called bolting. The plant bolts, flowers and sends out thousand of seed before it dies the following winter. Unfortunately is has already sent out thousands of seeds, which means there will be new growth every year.

Noxious weed management is not a one-time effort. Control Methods will need to be applied for several years and you will increase your success if you use a combination of the mechanical and chemical control methods that follow: cutting, pulling, mowing, and clipping are mechanical methods that can control both taurian and musk thistles. Rosettes can be cut out of the ground with a shovel. Cut them just below the soil surface and be sure to sever the root completely to kill the plant. The plant can also be cut out or pulled by hand after bolting but before it flowers. You can also mow the plants down when they grow tall enough but before they flower. If they flower before you get them cut down, cut off the flower and seed tops and place them in a plastic bag and close very secure to dispose of in a landfill. There are many chemical methods and herbicide applications, but they will be effective only during these plants’ rosette stage. The best times to spray are in early spring (late March through April) or late fall before the first killing frost (late September or early October). Contact Bill Alt for assistance in controlling your weeds, his contact information is at the end of this article.

A community-wide effort needs to be made to control these noxious thistles. You and your neighbors must work together to control infestations of these weeds. Control measures can become more workable and effective with group efforts.

It is very important to get control of these noxious weeds on a local level before they become more widespread.

We do have a Noxious Weed Advisory Board here in the valley that would love to have some input from the community. The board is hoping that more of the community will be attending the meetings and also need more Board Members. Please come to the next meeting on the 4th Thursday of the month at 7:00 pm at the Colorado City Rec Center, in the building on the West side of the Pool.

With your help, we can reclaim our valuable and beautiful Pueblo County land from these noxious weeds. Now is a good time to remove the blossoms from the thistles and other noxious weeds before they go to seed and grow thousands more. Fall is also a good time to try to get some control on the weeds and thistles. It can be so overwhelming for you alone, but if the whole valley works together some progress can be made.

The Pueblo County Noxious Weed Ordinance requires all landowners in Pueblo County to control any and all noxious weeds on their property. There is now a group called Turkey Creek Conservation District that can help with the expense. They have a very attractive Cost Share Program that you might like to hear about. This goes for many acres or small places.

They will come out and give you an evaluation of your property and weeds and advise you on what kind of spray to use and other preventative measures.

Call Bill Alt at the office: 543-8386 Ext 116 or at his home 543-4697.

His email address is balt7302@gmail.com and the web site is www.puebloweeds.com

Bill Alt’s office address is 200 South Santa Fe, 4th floor, Pueblo, CO 81003.

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