Working Together on Noxious Weeds:
How Loma Linda Supports County and State Efforts
If you've received a letter from the Architectural Control Committee about weeds on your property, you might wonder why the HOA is involved at all. The short answer: we're not acting alone. Loma Linda's noxious weed enforcement exists because Colorado state law and Archuleta County require it, and our HOA sees its role as helping neighbors comply, not policing them.
A Shared Responsibility
Under the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, every landowner in the state is responsible for managing noxious weeds on their property. Archuleta County carries this out locally through its Weed & Pest Department, which manages weeds along county roads and offers direct support to private landowners on request. The department's mission includes assisting property owners with weed management, educating the public on control techniques, and promoting safe, responsible use of herbicides and other treatments.
Loma Linda's own covenants (Article IX, Section 6) echo this same standard, requiring every lot to be kept free of weeds and noxious growth. When the ACC sends a violation letter, it's fulfilling this shared obligation alongside the county, not inventing a new rule.
Our Most Common Culprits
Around Loma Linda, the two weeds we see most often are Canada thistle and musk thistle. Both are aggressive, deep-rooted, and quick to spread if left unchecked — Canada thistle by rhizomes underground, musk thistle by the sheer volume of seed each plant produces. Left alone, either can take over a pasture or lot within a season or two, which is exactly what county and state regulations are designed to prevent.
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How the County Can Help
Archuleta County Weed & Pest does more than enforce — it's a genuine resource. Property owners can request service directly, and the county offers:
- Herbicide application and guidance on rates and timing, through the county's private spray list (opens each January 1st, closes once capacity is reached).
- Biocontrol agents — insects that target Canada thistle and field bindweed — available seasonally at no cost.
- Direct consultation with Weed and Pest Manager Ethan Proud (970-264-6773) or Land Stewardship Specialist Mark Giampietro (970-398-0916).
Requesting county assistance requires a landowner permission form, available on the county's Weed & Pest page.
What You Can Do at Home
Whether or not you use county services, a few approaches work well:
- Spraying: Targeted herbicide, timed correctly, is often most effective on established thistle.
- Cutting: Mowing before the plants flower, then disposing of seed heads properly, controls spread without chemicals.
- Biocontrol insects: For Canada thistle, the county's seasonal insect program offers a low-maintenance option.
Who Can Help
The following is a listing of businesses or people who will do weed spraying on your property. This list is provided as a courtesy and is not an endorsement by the HOA. If you, as a resident, know of another service or learn of new contact information for those below, please email the HOA and we can update the list.
- Ethan Proud-Archuleta County Weed and Pest Control 970-264-6773 (Please note you must call for this at the beginning of each year as there is a limited number of spots available.)
- Valley Ground Maintenance ,Celeste and Charlie Caywood 970-902-3573
- Spraying GC's Multi-Service: Greg Coffey 719-588-2872 gcsmultiservice@gmail.com
- Craig Taylor (Treecology) : 970-731-9634
The Bigger Picture
Every lot that stays on top of its weeds helps the whole neighborhood, and the broader county, hold the line against noxious species that don't respect property lines. Loma Linda's role is simply to make sure every homeowner knows the requirement exists and has a clear path to compliance. For more information or to request county assistance, visit archuletacounty.gov/county-government/public-works/weed-pest.