Mount Vernon Country Club Metropolitan District Noxious Weed Program, Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee is a committee of the Board of Directors of the Mount Vernon Country Club Metropolitan District,. We have received a Colorado Department of Agriculture grant to control noxious weeds. Mt Vernon Country Club Metro District has about 1,000 acres of open space land and 100 families to carry out the Colorado law to control noxious weeds. Most weed control is accomplished through volunteer efforts by Mount Vernon residents and neighboring cooperating HOA’s. We are bordered by Denver Mt. Parks, Jefferson County Open Space and private land owners. Cooperative weed management efforts are essential. We have three main objectives: 

(1) Control of noxious weeds through integrated weed management. This includes:

            Goats grazing two large pasture areas followed by reseeding with native vegetation.

            Community weed pull days.

            Controlled burns.

            Hand pulling at rock wall areas and edges of fields, and weed wacking. 

            Release of biocontrols on bindweed and leafy spurge.

            Mowing of thistle infestations in June, July and August.

            Monitoring of previously mapped noxious weed areas through an "adopt a meadow/hill or road side" program.

            Chemical controls. Since our water supply is from community wells, chemical controls are sparingly used and only on specific infestations such as poison ivy. 

(2) Community education and cooperative efforts.  Education efforts include: 

            A manned information table at all community functions: the Foothills Fire Department, Grange and local Home Owners Association picnics, noxious weed information for P.T.A. bulletins at local elementary schools, weed bouquets and notices at local churches, weed project materials for local scout troops and distribution of Foothills noxious weed booklet with colored pictures of noxious weeds to cooperating HOA's.

(3) Obtaining funding to continue the war on weeds.

            Future funding sources include Mount Vernon Country Club Metropolitan District, neighboring HOA’s who use MVCC open space lands and grant monies. Currently the Colorado Mountain Club contributes yearly to Community Church upkeep of our open space, and other community entities (Ralston School and Rockland Community Church give in-kind donations for educational materials). 

The Metropolitan District is concentrating efforts on the ten most prevalent weeds in our open space areas. At the request of the State Department of Agriculture, we also monitor Chinese clematis on Highway 40 near Lookout Mountain.  Individual home owners are responsible for noxious weeds on their own land, and help is given to those who need it.

Contact Information: 

Judy Cattell            303-526-0859            catchick@ecentral.com

Kitty Pring              303-525-4101

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