When one imagines a southwest landscape, it is hard to not picture cacti scattered amongst the shrubby vegetation of the mesas, canyons and rolling foothills of the desert.
Here in southwest Colorado, we do not have the towering saguaros or sprawling organ pipe cacti of Arizona, but we do have a fair host of cacti native to the area.
Most are small enough that one might walk right past them without even noticing them — like the varieties of barrel, fishhook and pincushion cacti. Some are larger in stature and harder to miss, such as species of prickly pear or cholla.
Regardless of the species or size, you may have noticed the presence of cacti on your land before, especially if you live south of U.S. 160. How you feel about them may largely depend on how you are using your land.
They play a crucial role in the local ecosystem, providing a beneficial addition to those seeking to create native, natural landscapes on their property. Their fleshy fruits provide forage for animals in a mutualistic relationship where the animals spread the seeds of the cacti in their droppings. Their spiney structures can offer protection for small critters trying to escape predation. The striking flowers of cacti attract both specialist and generalist pollinators, providing another food source in an increasingly competitive landscape for pollinators.
During times of drought, certain wildlife rely on the nutrients and water stored in the fleshy pads of prickly pear cacti. The root system of cacti can help aid in soil stabilization in particularly arid regions where plant life struggles to establish or endure. They even help sequester carbon from the atmosphere, albeit on a small scale, in process known as crassulacean acid metabolism, which helps cacti store their water and minimize their transpiration.
The point is: Cacti are tough, resourceful plants that benefit the overall ecosystem in an area that doesn’t always provide moisture for more “desirable” plant life.
However, if you ask a local cattle rancher how they feel about cacti, you won’t get such a positive outlook on our spiney little friends.
Cacti can become quite a nuisance in grazed pasture and rangeland. They reduce the carrying capacity of the land by forming large stands which displace grasses and forbs that most ranchers and livestock would greatly prefer. They can drive up veterinary costs for livestock who unwittingly try to graze them or tread on them — the sharp spines causing injury and infection. Money and time that could be utilized elsewhere are spent on expensive specialty herbicides or hours of labor to mechanically remove the plants.
Besides ranchers, those who are looking for a more manicured appearance or those who have kids and pets running around in their yard may not have the tolerance for cacti as the native landscape enthusiasts do. And that’s fine. We are allowed to manage our property as we see fit so long as it is not causing a detriment to the environment or our neighbors.
The question then arises, “how do you get rid of them?” The answer largely depends on how much land you have, and how much time and money you are willing to dedicate to cacti control.
For the average homeowner on small acreage, mechanical removal might make the most sense. Most cacti, especially the smaller ones in our area, have shallow but widely spread fibrous root systems. This means they are relatively easy to pull up. Just ensure you get as much of the root system as possible, as they can resprout, and do not leave any pads sitting on the ground after removal as they can root back down where they lay.
The herbicide 2,4-d is an effective, cheap treatment the average homeowner can use to control cacti, especially prickly pear, if pulling seems like too much work. Apply herbicides before the cacti go to seed in late summer on a warm day in the afternoon when the cacti’s stomas are open.
For larger acreages, a more integrated approach may be necessary. Mechanical removal with shallow tillage combined with the application of specialty herbicides that contain fluroxypyr and triclopyr are most effective. The same principles of root removal and collecting the pads or other plant material still apply, which shows how labor-intensive controlling cacti can be on a large scale. Revegetation with desirable species in the infested areas should also be done to avoid reestablishment of cacti.
There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to cacti on your land; it is simply a matter of land use and personal preference. They are beneficial native plant species, and a literal pain in certain situations. When deciding if the cacti are friends or foes of your property, keep these ideas in mind.
Maybe the answer is somewhere in the middle. Even for livestock grazers, a few cacti on the edges of your pastures aren’t going to be a big deal. Most animals are going to avoid them, and it is unlikely they will create a monoculture in our landscapes here where other plants are strong competitors. And for the few cacti that do pop up — well, you can always make prickly pear margaritas.
Archuleta County Weed and Pest is your local resource for managing noxious weed populations and controlling other pests.
Email list
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Or, to learn more about the many programs, resources and services offered by Colorado State University (CSU) Extension, visit https://extension.colostate.edu.
4-H, FFA members
preparing for Archuleta County Fair
Local businesses, please be on the watch for 4-H and FFA members on July 8.
Youth will be coming around to personally invite you to attend the Archuleta County Fair and to hang a poster, if you would like.
Please be sure to take a few minutes to talk to them about their projects, fair events like the Chuckwagon Dinner, rodeos and, of course, the Junior Livestock Auction on Aug. 1.
Tickets for the annual 4-H Chuckwagon Dinner will also be available for purchase from 4-H members July 8- 27. Early bird prices are $15 for adults and $5 for kids. Tickets purchased at the gate will go up $5, so get your tickets early.
CPR and first aid classes
CPR and first aid certification classes are offered every other month at the CSU Extension building, generally on the third Monday and Wednesday from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost for the classes is $80 for combined CPR/first aid and $55 for CPR, first aid or recertification. Call the Extension office at (970) 264-5931 to register.
Check out the online option on our website, archuleta.extension.colostate.edu.
Volunteer for the
Archuleta County Fair
Be a part of preserving the rich heritage and timeless tradition of the Archuleta County Fair and help plan the 75th anniversary Fair in 2026.
You’ll contribute to an annual tradition that brings our community together, supports local agriculture and creates lasting memories for generations to come.
To learn more, contact Tonya Steadmon at tsteadmon@archuletacounty.gov or (970) 264-5931.
Nature and journaling hike planned for July 23
Join CSU Extension Master Gardeners and the San Juan Mountains Association for “The Art of Nature-Patterns in Our World” nature and journaling hike.
Participants will observe how nature unfolds in beautiful and artistic patterns all around us.
The hike will be on July 23 from 9 a.m.to noon at Reservoir Hill. Space is limited to 15 attendees. Register at www.sjma.org.
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