La Plata County, CO Landscaping Rules: Weed Ordinances (2026)

Chapter 58 of the La Plata County Code covers noxious and undesirable plants on private and public land in unincorporated La Plata County. Section 58-32 sets the baseline: it is the duty of all persons to use integrated methods to manage and prevent the spread of noxious weeds that are likely to be ecologically destructive or aesthetically or materially damaging to neighboring lands. The Weed Office acts as the Board of County Commissioners' primary agent under Sec. 58-56.

Enforcement starts with an inspection. Under Sec. 58-58 the Weed Office can inspect when the landowner asks, when a neighbor reports a suspected infestation, when an agent sees one from a public right-of-way, or when a current aerial satellite map suggests one. Entry onto private premises needs verbal permission from the landowner or occupant, or certified mail notice at least ten days before the inspection, after which the office can seek an inspection warrant from a court.

The notice letter under Sec. 58-59 names the weeds, the inspection date and the required objective. Under Sec. 58-61 the recipient must respond within a reasonable time, and never later than five days if eradication is ordered or ten days if management is ordered. The response options are to comply, to submit an acceptable plan and schedule, or, when only management is ordered, to ask for an arbitration panel. The requesting landowner pays for the panel, and its decision is final.

If the owner does not comply, Sec. 58-62 directs the Weed Office to compel eradication or management. Under Sec. 58-65 the county can assess the whole cost of management plus up to 20 percent for inspection and incidental costs, and under Sec. 58-66 up to 100 percent of inspection, eradication and incidental costs for list A weeds. The assessment is a lien on the lot or tract, ranking ahead of every lien except general taxes and prior special assessments, and it can be certified to the county treasurer for collection.