In the task  list settings, you can hide content  types from the "new" drop-down,
or remove them completely. The thing is, you don't want to remove the one(s)
that your workflow  uses. In your list's advanced settings, if it isn't set
already, set "allow management of content types" to YES.
Then, you'll see the "Content types" section in your tasks list's settings. You
can click to "Change new button order and default content type", which is where
you can un-check the ones that you don't want to show as options on the NEW
drop-down.
This is also where you can clean up content types  that are old or aren't being
used, but you have to be very careful, and only delete them if you're sure your
workflow isn't using them.

there are actually a bunch of content  types i dont need in there but i do need
the 2 content types  i created  for each of the "collect data  from users" i
created in my workflow.

so..if i get rid of the junk content types and leave only the 2 i created, will
i still get the ugly dropdown?

also, if i leave just the 2 content types i need, which do i make the default
since i need them both?

I have done this and i now have a dropdown  with my 2 content  types..
was wondering why the dropdown should show in the first place? Shouldnt each
task know automatically which content type to use? I cant really see how this
dropdown is of value to the user...is there a way to get rid of it entirely and
get the task  to automatically know which content type to use...do remember that
i have 2 content types  in the same list...

You're right, unless users are going to be creating items directly in the task
list, those buttons aren't needed.

I guess if you really want to lock it down to remove the buttons, you can create
your own custom DVWP form.