Arapahoe County Weed Control enforces the Colorado Noxious Weed Act (C.R.S. §35-5.5-101) through its Weed Advisory Board. Property owners must abate listed noxious weeds and keep vegetation under 12 inches. Front Range wildfire concerns drive summer enforcement, especially after the Marshall Fire.
Arapahoe County administers weed control under C.R.S. §35-5.5-101 et seq. (Colorado Noxious Weed Act) via the Arapahoe County Weed Advisory Board. The county maintains a list of State A, B, and C list noxious weeds plus locally designated species. Common targets include Canada thistle, leafy spurge, diffuse knapweed, myrtle spurge, and cheatgrass (a major Front Range fire fuel). Unincorporated Arapahoe County enforces a vegetation height standard of roughly 12 inches on developed lots; vacant/undeveloped parcels receive annual spring notices. Aurora Municipal Code §22-116 requires weeds and grass to be kept under 10 inches. Centennial Municipal Code §7-6 follows a similar 12-inch standard. When property owners fail to abate after notice, the county hires a contractor to clear the property and adds the cost plus a 25% administrative fee to the property tax bill as a lien per C.R.S. §35-5.5-109. The Marshall Fire (Dec 2021) intensified Front Range enforcement because cured grass/weeds acted as primary fire fuel.
Notice to abate with 10-day correction period. County abatement: $200 to $1,000+ depending on lot size. 25% administrative fee added. Tax lien on property per C.R.S. §35-5.5-109.
Arapahoe County, CO
Arapahoe County regulates amplified music through the general noise ordinance and C.R.S. §18-9-106 disturbing the peace. Sound amplification permits are requ...
Arapahoe County, CO
Arapahoe County has no leaf blower-specific ordinance. Operation must comply with general noise limits under C.R.S. §25-12-103 and county noise rules. Gas-po...
Arapahoe County, CO
Arapahoe County Land Development Code §5-2 regulates fence materials by zoning district. Wood, vinyl, wrought iron, chain-link, and tubular steel are general...
Arapahoe County, CO
Arapahoe County permits backyard chickens in most residential zones under the Land Development Code. Unincorporated areas allow up to 6-8 hens with no rooste...
Arapahoe County, CO
Arapahoe County requires property owners to maintain defensible space in designated Wildland-Urban Interface zones, especially southern county areas near Che...
Arapahoe County, CO
Aurora, Centennial, and Cherry Hills Village require replacement of permitted tree removals in public right-of-way and subdivisions. Replacement ratios 1:1 t...
See how Arapahoe County's weed ordinances rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.