Colorado Noxious Weeds Targeted by Aspen Goat Grazers

Targeted grazing with goats is an effective, eco-friendly method for managing many of Colorado’s most problematic noxious weeds. Goats preferentially browse invasive and woody plants, reducing seed production, biomass, and long-term spread while supporting fire mitigation efforts.

List A Noxious Weeds (High Priority)

·       Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula): Goats readily consume leafy spurge, reducing vigor and seed production over repeated grazing cycles.

·       Russian Knapweed (Acroptilon repens): Highly palatable to goats; grazing weakens root systems and limits spread.

·       Myrtle Spurge / Cypress Spurge (Euphorbia myrsinites): Goats browse young growth effectively, helping control ornamental escape populations.

List B Noxious Weeds (Common Targets)

·       Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense): Goats consume stems, leaves, and flowers, suppressing flowering and seed set.

·       Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans): Highly preferred by goats, especially before flowering.

·       Scotch Thistle (Onopordum acanthium): Browsed heavily in early growth stages, reducing future infestations.

·       Diffuse Knapweed (Centaurea diffusa): Goats graze rosettes and flowering plants, limiting seed production.

·       Spotted Knapweed (Centaurea stoebe): Readily eaten; grazing weakens plants and reduces competition with native species.

·       Houndstongue (Cynoglossum officinale): Goats consume young plants before seed burrs form.

Woody & Fire-Prone Species Commonly Browsed

·       Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans): Goats can safely consume poison ivy, significantly reducing human exposure risk.

·       Oak Brush (Quercus gambelii): Effective for fuel load reduction and ladder fuel mitigation.

·       Russian Olive (Elaeagnus angustifolia): Young shoots and regrowth browsed after mechanical treatment.

·       Salt Cedar / Tamarisk (Tamarix spp.): Goats browse foliage and regrowth, supporting integrated control strategies.

Note: Grazing effectiveness depends on timing, stocking density, and repeat treatments. Aspen Goat Grazers integrates targeted grazing with land management best practices to support long-term weed control, ecosystem health, and wildfire risk reduction in the Roaring Fork Valley and surrounding areas.