(1) When an area designated as a pest control district by the board of county commissioners of any county contains public lands, it is the duty of the commissioner to notify the proper state departments which control or supervise the public lands within the area so designated that such a district has been formed. It is the duty of any such department so notified to control or eradicate all noxious weeds, insect pests, or plant diseases on any lands under its jurisdiction, and included within the boundaries of the district and for which the district was organized, using the methods prescribed by the commissioner.
In case such department fails to so control or eradicate such pests, it is the duty of theinspector in the county where the infestation is located to enter upon such lands and undertake the control or eradication of such noxious weeds, insect pests, or plant diseases, or cause the same to be done, the expense thereof to be a proper charge against the department which has jurisdiction over the lands. If not paid, such charge may be recovered in an action therefor by the county in any court of competent jurisdiction; except that it is permissible for any such state department which controls or supervises lands in the designated pest control district to enter into a contract with the board of county commissioners of the county wherein the land is situated to authorize the county pest inspector to undertake the control or eradication of all noxious weeds, insect pests, or plant diseases, as provided in this article, on state-controlled land in the district on terms and conditions satisfactory to both parties.
In the case of lands controlled by the state board of land commissioners, which landis included within a district and leased to a lessee, the costs incurred in controlling or eradicating noxious weeds, insect pests, or plant diseases, which would be chargeable to the owner of the land if privately owned, shall be paid by the lessee.
All park land in the state, except that owned by the United States, shall be excludedfrom charges provided for in this article, and the board of county commissioners of the county in which any such park is located shall be billed for any and all assessments on such park lands.
Source: L. 59: p. 183, § 12. CRS 53: § 6-16-12. C.R.S. 1963: § 6-5-12. L. 83: (1), (2), and (3) amended, p. 1316, § 7, effective May 10.