OutLot History
The outlots provide those living in Fall River Estates with access to both Rocky Mountain National Park and the Fall River without impeding on private property.
In 2003 the Fall River Estates HOA entered into an agreement with the Estes Valley Land Trust to ensure that the outlots were protected from future development. While the Land Trust does protect the lots from development, the Home Owners Association is still responsible for any maintenance on the lots. In the past, the HOA has sprayed the trees against the pine beetle and now the Land Trust has requested that the HOA treat the noxious weeds that were growing and spreading on the outlots.
Weed Treatment
Timing is important in noxious weed control. The key is to treat noxious weeds after they have emerged but before they can spread their seeds. Additional treatments are sometimes needed to eliminate noxious weeds that emerge after the preliminary treatments. The recommendation was that our outlots would require an additional late season treatment since some of the noxious weeds found were late blooming.
It is also recommended that homeowners do their part in reducing the number of noxious weeds in our area. Seeds spread easily and will continue to infest the outlots if the noxious weeds are allowed to grow on private property.
The seven outlots within Fall River Estates, total 4.37 acres. Some of the weeds found and treated include: Musk Thistle, Canadian Thistle, Knapweed, Mullen, Dalmatian Toadflax and a couple of small patches of Cheat Grass. It is good to get the Cheat Grass while there are only small amounts as it can really take over fast if left untreated.
Future Recommendations
Our treatment vendor has advised that it takes about 3 years to really get the noxious weeds under control and while each year should require less and less treatment, annual maintenance is required.