Mowing and Landscaping
Keeping open spaces clean, safe and beautiful is a priority for Greeley and maintenance is an effort of multiple city departments.
Landscaping or Vegetation Concerns?
Contact Greeley 311 to report an issue and seek assistance.
Mowing
An inter-departmental team of City staff created the Clean, Safe, and Beautiful Standards, which guide vegetation maintenance for non-irrigated city properties.
During the growing season, a 3-4 ft swath is mowed on both sides of the trail to a height of 6 inches and maintained at no more than 12 inches. This trailside mow is completed on both paved and soft surface trails. This helps with visibility and avoids vegetation on the trail surface. Single-track trails are not mowed. Native vegetation within the interior of natural areas is typically left standing at its natural height unless management actions (i.e., weed management) dictate otherwise.
If you encounter an area that needs attention, please contact 311.
Vegetation is cut down to six inches and kept to a height of less than 12. The City of Greeley cuts from the roadway to the fence/property line, and trims along fences, around trees, signs and other infrastructure.
Natural Areas and Stormwater Structures
Paved and soft-surface trails are mowed at six inches and kept at a height of less than 12, for a 3-4 feet width on both sides. Native plants in open spaces and natural areas are typically left standing at their natural height unless weed management dictates otherwise. For plants and grasses in non-irrigated stormwater infrastructure, this must be done to ensure compliance with state and federal water quality requirements.
When developed properties directly touch natural areas and/or stormwater infrastructure, the city takes the “Good Neighbor” approach, mowing vegetation at a height of six inches for a minimum of 10 feet from the property line or 30 feet from a home structure, whichever is more. The 30-foot standard is based on current best management practices from organizations like the National Fire Prevention Association. The fire mitigation mow is performed twice per year. This standard follows current fire mitigation best practices.
Weed Management
Weed management is conducted through both proactive and reactive methods (e.g., spraying) to ensure alignment with city goals and state regulatory requirements.