Natural Resources & Small Acreage Management
Boulder County Extension provides the community with expertise, resources, and research to sustainably manage Colorado’s natural resources, wildlife, and ecosystems.
Explore the tools and services designed to help Boulder County residents manage pastures, weeds, wildlife, and more.
Small Acreage Site Visits
The Small Acreage Coordinator, lgonzalez@bouldercounty.gov, is available to make site visits to small acreage landowners. There is a $75 site visit fee to cover mileage and printed materials. The landowner and the Small Acreage Coordinator walk the property. The Coordinator will identify forage plants and weeds and talk about the landowner’s goals and what must be done to accomplish them. Post visit the Coordinator provides a full report including weed and pasture management recommendations, reseeding information and any other information or contacts that are recommended. Site visits normally take from 1 – 2 hours depending on size of the property, condition of the property and landowner’s questions. Hablamos español.
Rural Property
Thinking of buying rural property? Boulder County has more than 5,000 properties from 1-100 acres totaling over 37,000 acres. The purchase of a small acreage or farmland is a major investment. There are many factors to consider such as price, appearance, suitability for planned use, amenities, construction, etc. Prior to purchasing a property or after you have purchased one or lived on it, you need to educate yourself on all the aspects of your property. Please take time to review this resource, “Purchasing Rural Property in Colorado”.
Sign up for the BoCo Small Acreage Listserv
Join the Boulder County (BoCo) Small Acreage Listserv select BoCo_Small_Acreage from list and fill out form this listserv provides a means for us to send out information to Boulder County small acreage landowners to help them make better management decisions. It is also not moderated, meaning that anyone subscribed to it can send emails to everyone on the list, providing a forum for discussion of small acreage issues.
THIS IS A CSU LISTSERV, NO COMMERCIAL EMAILS PLEASE.
The purchase of a small acreage or farmland is a major investment. There are many factors to consider such as price, appearance, suitability for planned use, amenities, construction, etc. Purchasing rural property, particularly in some parts of Colorado, requires consideration of additional factors by the prospective buyer. There are special considerations, hazards and problems with rural land and housing that are different from those usually associated with urban property. Prospective purchasers who have not lived in rural areas, particularly mountain areas, may not be aware of these considerations.
Weeds
In simple terms a weed is just a plant out of place, however, managing some of these weeds is not a simple task. Noxious weeds are invasive non-native plants whose control is mandated by law. Explore Boulder County’s resources to help you manage these stubborn plants.
Wildlife
Do you have squirrels chewing on your trees or raccoons eating your corn? Tired of dealing with mice in your house? Boulder County Wildlife Masters are available to provide information on how to deal with these critters and more.
Hay
Hay production is a realistic goal for some small acreage landowners. Most livestock landowners can produce at least some of the forage that their animals require. For others, it can provide a small supplemental income from the property. Discover tool and resources offered by Boulder County Extension to assist in your hay needs.
Pasture Management
Managing and caring for the forage plants growing in pastures is probably one of the most important aspects of managing property for landowners. Livestock owners may know how to take care of their animals, but quite often do not fully understand how to manage the plants that comprise their pastures. Explore resources to help you properly manage your pasture.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus strains are extremely infectious, often fatal to chickens and turkeys, and can spread rapidly from flock-to-flock. Learn how HPAI is transmitted in backyard flocks, the key symptoms to watch for, and the basic biosecurity steps to take.
Browse more topics from CSU Extension
Research
Insects & Pest Management
Grasshopper Control in Gardens and Small Acreages
Research
Small Acreage Management
Cheatgrass and Wildfire
Research
Biochar
Biochar in Colorado
Research
Water
Bacteria in Water Wells
Research
Wildlife
Managing Voles in Colorado
Research
Emergency Disaster Recovery
Addressing the Impacts of Wildfire on Water Resources
Research
Family & Home
Improving Air Quality in Your Home
Research
Irrigation & Water Management
Understanding Decreed Water Rights, Water Shares, and Contractual Entitlements in Colorado
Land Stewardship Course
Those who own, live on, and manage small-acreage properties are responsible for a variety of natural resources, including soil, water, air, plants, and animals (SWAPA). It is important to manage these resources sustainably to ensure the land remains healthy for crop and animal production, ecological diversity, and preservation for future generations. The Land Stewardship program offers online training to help you understand the fundamentals of sustainable land and resource management.