Integrated Pest Management
The City of Colorado Springs Parks Department follows an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy that focuses on using a multi-faceted approach to better defend against pests. The objective is to control weeds in the City parks, open spaces, and public right of ways and insects that can be damaging to the urban tree canopy. The best weed control is a healthy, vigorously growing stand of turf grass that can out compete weeds. We accomplish this by focusing on cultural practices such as mowing, fertilizing, irrigating, soil aeration/dethatching, topdressing, and overseeding. Herbicides are then used, if needed, as a last line of defense.
The principles of our IPM procedures are as follows:
- Prevention- This is the most effective pest management strategy. By reducing the capacity of the ecosystem to support the target weed or pest populations through design and appropriate management, the opportunities for weed and pest establishment can be reduced or eliminated.
- Cultural- Cultural control is the use of management activities that prevent weeds and pests from developing due to enhancement of desired conditions.
- Mechanical - Mechanical control is accomplished by using physical methods or mechanical equipment to control weeds and pests. Mowing and hand pulling of weeds can be very effective.
- Biological - Biological controls include the introduction or enhancements of natural enemy populations to target weeds or pests.
- Chemical - When chemical control of weeds or pests is necessary General Use herbicides are applied. No Restricted Use pesticides will be used in park landscapes.
The majority of the herbicide applications that take place in our park system are performed by outside contractors. All applicators are commercially certified and licensed through the Colorado Department of Agriculture and only apply products that are registered through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Prior to the application being made the applicator will place yellow flags at conspicuous points of entry into the area indicating that an herbicide has been applied. When the herbicide is applied the applicators make spot treatments and only apply to areas containing target weeds. The area is safe to reenter once the product has dried.
For the State of Colorado Noxious Weed list visit:
https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/agconservation/noxious-weed-species
Pesticide Application Schedule
This schedule is updated on a weekly basis during the growing season. Always look for the Pesticide application flags that are placed out before application and left up for 24 hours after application.
If there are any questions regarding the application, please contact the Jarod Clayton at Jarod.Clayton@coloradosprings.gov or call 719-385-6507.
Please note that this schedule is subject to change due to weather and scheduled activities.
Begining May 17th, weather dependent.
Location(s): Jared Jensen Park, Ken Jordan Park, Stetson Park, Laura Gilpin Park, Sandstone Park, High Meadows Park, Remington Park, Snowy River Park, Horace Shelby Park, Pring Ranch Park, Jack Templeton Park, Old Farm Park, Old Farm Shop, Otero Park, Rudy Park, Springs Ranch Park,
- General Area Treated: Turf grass areas
- Product Used: Speedzone
- Active Ingredients: 2,4-D, Carfentrazone
- Target Pest: control of grassy and broadleaf weeds
Beginging May 10th, weather dependent.
Location: Acacia Park, America the Beautiful, Antlers Park, Bricker Park, Broadmoor Bluffs, Broadmoor Glen Park, Broadmoor Valley Park, Cheyenne Meadows Park, Deerfield Park, Dorchester Park, Fountain/Hillside, Giberson Park, Jenkins Park, Meadowlark Park, Meadows Park + Community Center, Monterey Park, Monument Valley, Nancy Lewis, Oak Meadows Park, Pioneer Museum, Pioneer Park, Smith, Sr. James H Park, Soaring Eagles Park, Van Diest Park, Westmoor Park, Gold Camp Park, Vermijo Park, Thorndale Park, Bott Park, City Hall, Boulder Crescent
- General Area Treated: Turfgrass areas
- Trade Name: Speedzone
- Active Ingredients: carfentrazone, 2,4-D, mecoprop, dicamba
- Target Pest: Undesirable broadleaf weeds
Location: Memorial Park, Leon Young Sports Complex
- General Area Treated: Turf to native conversion areas
- Product Used: T-Zone and/or Dimension
- Active Ingredients: triclopyr, sulfentrazone, 2,4-D, dicamba, dithiopyr
- Target pest: undesirable broadleaf and grassy weeds
Location: South Shook’s (Costilla to Fountain), Mid-Shook’s (Boulder to Bijou), Hillside Community Center, Legacy Loop Trailhead
- General Area Treated: Turf to native conversion areas
- Product Used: T-Zone and/or Dimension
- Active Ingredients: triclopyr, sulfentrazone, 2,4-D, dicamba, dithiopyr
- Target pest: undesirable broadleaf weeds and grasses
Location: Mid-Shook’s (Boulder to Willamette), Leon Young Shook’s, Cheyenne Meadows Park
- General Area Treated: Turf to native conversion areas
- Product Used: Confront and Quicksilver
- Active Ingredients: triclopyr, clopyralid, carfentrazone
- Target pest: undesirable broadleaf weeds
Location: Buckskin Charlie Park, Mountain Shadows Park, Union Medians, Rockrimmon Medians, Centennial Medians
- General Area Treated: Turf to native conversion areas
- Product Used: T-Zone and/or Dimension
- Active Ingredients: triclopyr, sulfentrazone, 2,4-D, dicamba, dithiopyr
- Target pest: undesirable broadleaf weeds and grasses
Location(s): Jackson Park, Pinecliff Park, Golden Hills Park, Foothills Park, Discovery Park, Woodstone Park, Woodmen Valley Park, Marshall Sprague Park, Oak Valley Park, Wilson Ranch Park, Mountain Shadows Park , Pinion Valley Park
- General Area Treated: Turf grass areas
- Product Used: Tenacity, Turflon Ester
- Active Ingredients: mesotrione, triclopyr
- Target Pest: Post and pre-emergent control of grassy and broadleaf weeds
Location: Keller Park, Centennial Park, Wildflower Park, Wasson Park, Village Green Park, Ford Frick
- General Area Treated: Turf to native conversion areas
- Product Used: Capstone
- Active Ingredients: aminopyralid, triclopyr
- Target Pest: Undesirable broadleaf weeds