An illegal marijuana grow found on federal forest land near Rye, a town of about 200, in 2017.

Federal agencies removed more than 71,000 marijuana plants from Colorado public lands in 2017

Federal agencies removed more than 71,000 marijuana plants from public lands during last year’s growing season, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Colorado office.

The plants were growing illegally on about 38 acres, not including the islands of the Colorado River. These grows are ones that operate outside of the laws established for Colorado’s legal cannabis industry.

The marijuana growing season typically runs from early summer through the fall.

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