News
Governor to discuss prison closure
Posted: Mar 2, 2011 5:25 AM by Andy Koen
Updated: Mar 2, 2011 5:37 AM
After announcing two weeks ago that he would close the Fort Lyon Correctional Facility, Governor John Hickenlooper is visiting Bent County in person today to explain the need for it to community leaders.
The prison closure is expected to save the state around $6 million a year. It's one of several budget cuts proposed by the governor to bridge a $1 billion budget deficit next year.
Closing the prison would mean a loss of over 200 jobs and the mayor of Las Animas says it will cost the local economy about $800,000 a year.
The Fort Lyon Correctional Facility is a medium-security prison that houses aging and disabled inmates. Hickenlooper's meeting begins at 10:00 in Las Animas.
Before that meeting happens, the governor is expected to read to second graders at the La Junta Primary School in recognition of the National Education Association's Read Across America Day.
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