Posts tagged Boulder
Noxious weeds on the city’s “hit” list
May 2nd
As a result of a state mandate to eliminate “List A” noxious weed species from all public and private property in Colorado communities, the City of Boulder is proposing an update to its existing weed ordinance to require property owners to remove the weeds from all properties.
“List A” weed species, as provided in the Colorado Noxious Weed Act, are plants that have yet to be well established in Colorado but are either present in small populations or are invasive in nearby states. There are two species of “List A” weeds that are of most concern within Boulder’s city limits: myrtle spurge and Japanese knotweed. The city was awarded a grant through the Colorado Department of Agriculture Noxious Weed Management Fund to assist in an educational plan.
“Early detection and eradication of these particular species can prevent them from becoming a major problem in Colorado,” said city Integrated Pest Management Coordinator Rella Abernathy. “Most of these plants are ‘escaped’ ornamental plants and many residents may not realize that they present a threat to the natural lands surrounding Boulder and are illegal to grow here.”
These noxious, invasive plants can negatively impact biodiversity, threaten endangered species, degrade native habitat, displace wildlife, increase soil erosion, damage streams and other wetlands and increase the risk and frequency of wildfires if allowed to spread. Boulder is in compliance with the Colorado Noxious Weed Act on city-owned properties but has not been enforcing the statue on private property.
The city will focus on education and outreach to notify the public of the requirements and to provide information for identification, environmentally-sound weed removal and suggested replacement plant options.
“A soft enforcement approach is being implemented with voluntary compliance being the goal and enforcement action being a last resort,” said Code Enforcement Supervisor Jennifer Riley. “However, ticketing is possible if property owners do not comply with repeated requests from officers to address illegal weeds.”
Education will begin with a “Purge Your Spurge” event on May 18 where residents are encouraged to pull their myrtle spurge and exchange it for free native plants. This event will occur as part of Boulder Community Day at the East Boulder Community Center, 5660 Sioux Drive, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Other education efforts will include a webpage; fact sheets; media engagement; outreach to nurseries, landscapers and lawn care companies; and code enforcement officers who assist with education in the field.
“Identifying and removing noxious weeds from private property can take some effort, but it’s important to prevent these weeds from spreading to our neighbors’ yards and ultimately to natural areas,” said Abernathy. “Fortunately, only two of the weeds from the list are widespread within the Boulder city limits, myrtle spurge being the most common. We want to make sure people can easily identify the weeds, know how to remove them safely and know what native plants can be used to replace them.”
Myrtle spurge has been commonly used as a decorative plant. People should be aware that it contains a white sap that can cause skin irritation including blistering if touched. Those removing it should wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves and eye protection. Removing at least four inches of the root is recommended to prevent its return. It should be placed in a plastic bag and tightly fastened. DON’T compost noxious weeds as that will cause the weed to spread.
The city’s weed ordinance is expected to be modified through a City Manager rule change, which will be published in the Daily Camera on May 3, as well as on the city’s website. Public feedback will be accepted until May 20. The rule is anticipated to go into effect on June 1, 2013.
For more information or to provide feedback on the proposed City Manager’s rule, contact Rella Abernathy at 303-441-1901.
— CITY OF BOULDER NEWS RELEASE –
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Fraudulent website for Parks and Recreation gathering personal information for resale
Apr 25th
The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department was notified by the Colorado Parks and Recreation Association (CPRA) that there is a possible fraudulent website offering registration for some Boulder Parks and Recreation activities and classes. Findsportsnow.com, is believed to be posting city programs and offering registration through their site, however, the city has no business relationship or agreements with this entity.
Area residents should visit www.BoulderParks-Rec.org or contact a city recreation center for program and registration links and information.
According to a memo from CPRA to parks and recreation departments around Colorado this week, the website “Findsportsnow.com has been listing several park and recreation agency programs, claiming to be a ‘one stop shop’ for registering for these sports programs. They are collecting personal information, including credit card numbers and charging a $2 ‘processing fee’ for each transaction. Their website claims they are then passing along this registration information to the host agency. THIS has NOT been the case in three instances we are aware of! Several of our CPRA Agencies have been notified by customers that they had registered through this website, only to find out they had been scammed.”
If you believe you may have registered for a City of Boulder recreation program through this website, please contact us. For more information call 303-413-7270.
CITY OF BOULDER NEWS RELEASE
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CU women’s soccer team undefeated this spring, with style
Apr 25th
“We are very pleased with how the spring season went,” CU head coach Danny Sanchez said. “We stayed healthy and made some nice strides on the field. There is a lot of work to be done this summer, but we are excited for the 2013 season. August 7 can’t come quick enough”
The Buffs began play at Prentup Field against Colorado Cup rivals Denver and Colorado College. After falling 4-1 last season to the Pioneers in the DU Invitational, the Buffs redeemed themselves with a 2-0 victory. The Buffs and CC Tigers have a knack for tying things up, concluding their match in a 1-1 draw. The teams ended in a 0-0 tie last season in the determining game of the Colorado Cup.
Next, the Buffs headed to Denver for the Regis University Tournament. In their first-ever match-up against Division II team Colorado School of Mines, CU came out victorious, winning 4-0. Later that day, the Buffs blanked another in-state foe, defeating the Air Force Academy 2-0.
Colorado continued its winning ways against three new teams at the Colorado Mesa University Tournament in Grand Junction, Colo. The Buffs opened against two Division II schools. They swiftly took down Fort Lewis College 2-0 and Colorado Mesa University 3-0. CU overpowered Southern Utah (Division I) 1-0 in the final game of the tournament.
The Buffs concluded spring play in Boulder against Northern Colorado. CU continued its streak of shutouts, blanking the Bears 3-0.
Eight players scored for the Buffs in spring play, with three more contributing assists. Anne Stuller led the group with 20 points. Soon-to-be sophomore Olivia Pappalardo followed with three goals and two assists. Santa Clara transfer Brooke Rice made a strong first impression, contributing two goals and one assist.
Soon-to-be sophomores Madison Krauser and Heather Ward each added a goal and an assist of their own. Lizzy Herzl, Nikola Machalek and Storie Ledger rounded out the group with a goal apiece. Darcy Jerman, Emily Paxton and Hayley Hughes worked the midfield, each contributing four, two and one assist, respectively.
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