Colorado Springs, CO Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Species named
- Leafy spurge, 3 knapweed species, Canada thistle
- Advisory body
- City Council acts as the Advisory Commission
- Enforcement cost surcharge
- 15% added to control costs, filed as lien
- Arbitration panel pay
- Up to $6.00/hour, paid by requesting landowner
- City property duty
- Code Enforcement Administrator must control City land too
- Legal basis
- C.R.S. Title 35, Article 5.5
Summary
Colorado Springs' Undesirable Plant Management Ordinance, City Code § 9.6.314, names five species, leafy spurge, diffuse knapweed, Russian knapweed, spotted knapweed and Canada thistle, as undesirable plants that every landowner in the city must control. The Code Enforcement Administrator can inspect, order abatement, and assess unpaid control costs as a lien on the property.
"C. Undesirable Plants Declared: In accord with Colorado Revised Statutes section 35-5.5-108, the following plants are declared to be undesirable plants subject to this article: 1. Leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula). 2. Diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa). 3. Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens). 4. Spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa). 5. Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense)."
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 26-23, passed June 9, 2026).
Full Breakdown
314 makes the City Council the local Undesirable Plant Management Advisory Commission and declares five species undesirable citywide: leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula), diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa), Russian knapweed (Centaurea repens), spotted knapweed (Centaurea maculosa), and Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense). "Control" is defined as preventing the plant from forming viable seeds or vegetative propagules. 5-110(3), and who determines the biological, chemical, or integrated control methods to be applied, subject to City Council approval. 00 per hour, paid by the requesting landowner or occupant. If a landowner ignores a notice to control or an arbitration panel's management plan, the Administrator may compel control directly and then assess the full cost, plus a 15 percent surcharge for inspection and incidental costs, against the property as a lien, collectible the same way as under state law.
The Administrator is also responsible for controlling these plants on City-owned property and rights-of-way, coordinated by the Mayor. H separately declares the five listed plants, and any premises infested with them, a public nuisance, letting Council order removal or destruction by resolution.
Violations & Fines
Failure to control any of the five listed species after notice lets the Code Enforcement Administrator compel abatement and bill the landowner the full control cost plus a 15 percent inspection surcharge, recorded as a lien against the tract under § 9.6.314.F. Infested premises are separately declared a public nuisance under § 9.6.314.H, giving City Council authority to order removal or destruction by resolution or ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What plants are illegal to let grow in Colorado Springs?
What happens if I ignore a notice to control these weeds?
Can I appeal an undesirable-plant control order?
Does the City control these weeds on its own property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Colorado Springs
Compare Colorado Springs to another location·View the Colorado invasive plant rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.