Last month, we wrote about Greg Skomp, aka Goathead Greg, a man on a mission to rid Denver's trails of the wicked puncture vine and its diabolic seeds that flatten bike tires and tear through puppies' feet.
Skomp, who had collected almost 430 pounds of the plant as of Sept. 20, wanted to connect with others who would help him in his mission, but he didn't have much in the way of social media know-how or organizing experience.
His wife, concerned about the monumental task, reached out to Denverite, hoping our readers would lend him a hand.
And have they ever.
Since that story came out, Skomp has attracted followers willing to join him on his crusade. Some have volunteered to meet him on the trails and uproot puncture vine. Others have agreed to help recruit members on social media.
Thanks to them, a new do-gooder group has been born -- Goathead Greg's Goathead Patrol.
"We have a super hero in Denver," wrote Bryan Wilson on Reddit. "He has been dubbed, Goathead Greg, & patrols our trails removing Goatheads that could get stuck in dog paws or puncture bike tires.
"It's time we gave him some help!" he continued. "The goal is to form a Goathead Patrol, made up of volunteers to assist Greg in his mission to eradicate Goatheads from our trails."
Wilson created a sign-up form for interested volunteers.
The hope is Skomp will send out an email a few days before a goathead-clearing session, and people will sign up to help.
Even the High Line Canal Conservancy has gotten in on the action, finding volunteers to help with the effort.
And the Goathead Patrol's work has just begun.
"There is some momentum building, just as the season is about to end," Skomp said. "I'm hoping to use this interest to mount a larger, wider effort next year."
