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DENVER—Southeastern Colorado officials want lawmakers to delay closing a prison so they can consider other possible uses for the facility and keep jobs in the region.
Officials from Bent and Otero counties and surrounding areas told lawmakers from the Joint Budget Committee they’re not asking for the prison to never be closed. But they want a year to look at other ways that they can use the Fort Lyon Correctional facility.
Gov. John Hickenlooper said last month the prison needs to be closed to help the state with a $1 billion budget shortfall. Closing the prison would save the state $3 million this year and $6.3 million every following year.
Bent County officials say the 204 jobs the prison provides are crucial to the area.
