Volunteers pull over 1,100 pounds of cheatgrass

In the high-altitude Gunnison Basin, residents may have noticed a purple tide that has besmirched the silver-green sage and wildflower landscape. The ominous expansion of cheatgrass, or Bromus tectorum, is quite noticeable in this, one of the driest years in recent memory.

For all those who love this Basin, the warning signs are increasingly difficult to ignore. Cheatgrass is an invasive annual grass that has taken hold across the Mountain West and is particularly aggressive in sagebrush ecosystems. Unlike our native perennial grasses, which spend years building deep root systems to survive harsh winters and dry summers, cheatgrass sprouts early, steals nutrients, and dies before July, covering the landscape with a fine, highly flammable carpet of dry tinder.

Cheatgrass threatens both our private and public lands. This season alone has seen a noticeable expansion of established infestations, along with troubling new infestations popping up in places that appeared clear just last year. When cheatgrass moves in, it can create a wildfire feedback cycle: outcompeting more fire-resistant native perennials, turning into fine fuel early in the season, carrying more frequent wildfire, and thriving in the aftermath of the burn.

However, the tide may be turning thanks to the groundswell of community attention and action.

Last weekend, the Gunnison City Cheatgrass Pull Day shattered all previous expectations. 

Armed with gloves, sunscreen, and a shared commitment to the land, 30 volunteers descended on the local infestations in the city of Gunnison. In just a few short hours, the team pulled a staggering 1,136 pounds of cheatgrass. It was a physical, gritty, and immensely satisfying display of what a small group of dedicated individuals can achieve when they take ownership of their own backyard.

But the work is ongoing. With seed-drop approaching, the race to map current infestations and limit the spread is on. Once seeds mature, turning purple and then tawny, it is best to avoid pulling cheatgrass at this stage. At this purple and tawny stage, pulling can increase the spread, worsening the problem rather than improving it.

We are calling on both locals and visitors to be part of the solution. You don’t need to be a botanist to make a difference; you just need to keep your eyes open. When you are out biking, hiking, or checking out your property, keep an eye out for the obviously nodding seed-heads. And if you spot it, map it.

The CheatMaps app (available on both iPhone and Android devices from respective playstores) first developed by local students from Western and updated recently by students from CU Boulder, allows users to identify cheatgrass, map infestations, and view infestations posted by others. It is a powerful, locally-based tool used to track the spread of cheatgrass in the Gunnison Basin and prioritize treatment and restoration efforts. By logging what you see, you can help us follow cheatgrass spread and plan treatments.

For those looking to join the front lines of the effort, the season for manual pulling is just about to end. As long as the plant is still green, it is still pullable. Once the seeds begin to mature and they turn purple and tawny, it is best to leave it alone. Get in touch with the Cheatgrass Coordinator, Sarah Elzay, if you need more information. Community members are encouraged to join volunteer efforts such as the Gunnison City Pull Day and workshops to learn more about cheatgrass and how to control it. Cheatgrass is a state- and county-listed noxious weed.

If you would like a site visit on your private property or to discuss treatment options at your property or HOA, please get in touch with Sarah Elzay.

The Gunnison Basin is a landscape that is both beautiful and resilient. We must help fight the ongoing threat of cheatgrass and preserve our wild places. By staying vigilant, mapping cheatgrass where we find it, and working together to pull and treat where we can, we can ensure our wildlands stay wild, the fire risk stays limited, and the sagebrush ecosystem we rely on remains intact.

Don’t let the cheatgrass beat the Gunnison Basin. Grab your gloves, download the app, and let’s keep Basin native.

Sarah Elzay is the Gunnison County Cheatgrass and Habitat Restoration Coordinator. She can be reached at: selzay@western.edu.