FAQ

Since 2013, the City of Westminster has been moving toward more sustainable park maintenance practices. On a limited basis, Park Services is repurposing outlying, under-used portions of existing bluegrass areas and converting them to a drought tolerant, native seed mix that reduces water and maintenance needs. These areas are signed to inform the public of the department’s intention and to avoid the misunderstanding that the grass has inadvertently died.

Staff estimates it will take two years to establish conversion areas to their full potential. These areas will be closely monitored for weed control and seed mix success. Scheduled over-seeding will also improve the overall look of the conversion areas. Westminster hopes to demonstrate acceptable bluegrass alternatives not only for the parks, but also for homeowners’ lawns and landscaping. You too can move toward sustainable practices.

The City of Westminster partners with Vector Disease Control International (VDCI) for mosquito management. VDCI employs established Integrated Mosquito Management (IMM) principles and practices to dramatically reduce the numbers of mosquitoes in the city. The program includes practices that are environmentally sensitive and utilize a combination of cultural, biological and chemical measures that emphasize the least-toxic approach to target and control all mosquitoes, both nuisance species and disease-vector species. The primary diseases of concern are West Nile Virus, Western Equine Encephalitis, and St. Louis encephalitis.

VDCI's Mosquito Hotline (303-428-5908) accepts calls from the public concerning but not limited to the following:

• Reports of mosquito annoyance areas, and/or standing, stagnant water that may indicate the presence of larval sites or harborage of adult mosquitoes.
• No spray or opt-out process for a resident to request that no spraying be performed in front of their home. This may be used as a shut-off list that would require the operator to tum off the spray when driving past the residents identified on the list and prior notification to the resident of when spraying will take place.
• Request for notification when spraying will be done. A resident can request to be notified when their neighborhood will be treated with adulticide spray.
• Request for information on how to control and/or prevent mosquitoes on private property as well as educational information on mosquito-borne diseases.
• Request health and safety information about mosquito control operations and pesticide products used in the mosquito control program.
• Request for information on what surveillance or treatment programs are taking place within the City of Westminster.

Cyanobacteria, or more commonly called blue-green algae, are microorganisms that are frequently found in freshwater systems and can produce Harmful Algae Blooms (HABs). Some cyanobacterial HABs can threaten a pond system’s chemical balance and create conditions that could be toxic to humans or wildlife.

Recreational exposure to cyanobacteria can cause skin irritation, as well as “fever, headaches, muscle and joint pain, blisters, stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, mouth ulcers, and other allergic reactions,” according to the EPA.

Due to concerns in Westminster over potential cyanobacteria blooms in 2019, samples were collected at multiple ponds and lakes for water quality testing and analysis to identify algae presence. All samples tested negative for cyanobacteria, ensuring that the resources were healthy and safe for use by people, pets and wildlife.

In an ongoing proactive effort, the city is working with SOLitude Lake Management to identify new tools and technologies to further promote the ecological balance of water resources.