As a resident of Summit County, I’m concerned about the ongoing practice of spraying herbicides along our bike paths, sidewalks and open spaces, whether from trucks or workers walking with backpack sprayers. While weed control has its place, the current approach is excessive and harmful to the environment.

The spraying often kills everything in its path, leaving behind large patches of dead, bare dirt. These areas are not only unsightly, but they also harm pollinators, degrade soil health and increase erosion. Worse, the vast majority of these plants are not classified as harmful under Colorado law. And here’s something I think gets overlooked: many so-called “weeds” are actually beautiful when allowed to grow naturally in open areas. They add greenery, texture and even bursts of color that support birds, insects and native wildlife. In many cases, they’re far more appealing than scorched, lifeless dirt.

Colorado maintains an official list of Class A noxious weeds, plants that are invasive and pose serious threats to ecosystems or agriculture. These are the species we should be focusing on. Instead, what we often see is the indiscriminate killing of all plant life, regardless of whether it’s truly problematic.

It’s time for our towns and public works departments to take a more thoughtful approach. Targeted removal of verified noxious weeds is understandable, but broad spraying, especially in public areas where people walk, bike, and bring their pets, is not the solution.

There are safer, more sustainable alternatives that prioritize both environmental health and community safety. I urge local leaders to explore them.