CANON CITY, Colo.—Construction on a 948-bed maximum security prison will begin in November, more than four years after lawmakers approved funding to build it.
The Colorado State Penitentiary II, being built next to the Centennial correctional facility, is expected to open in early 2010, Department of Corrections Executive Director Ari Zavaras said in a statement.
A citizens group challenged the funding mechanism for what in 2003 was slated to be a $203 million project. The state prevailed in a recent court ruling, clearing the way for the project.
“The approach will open the project to any and all contractors who would like to participate,” Zavaras said. “One of the most appealing outcomes of this construction approach is local Colorado contractors can participate right along with larger, national contractors.”
Prisoners at Fremont prison’s metal shop are building the 80-square-foot, 7,000-pound cells, including the steel walls, table, stool, bed platform, shelf and audiovisual cabinet. The cells also are outfitted with plumbing and light fixtures and will be powder coated with paint and insulated.
