New law could cost El Paso County jail more money
A new law just passed may be an issue for El Paso County, as it will up the headcount of detainees in the El Paso County jail.
House Bill 1263 reclassifies different drug charges as misdemeanors instead of felonies, meaning potential felons would get a lesser charge.
That means instead of going to state prison, many of these offenders will go to county jails, costing the county about $600,000, according to Sheriff Bill Elder.
Elder didn’t say whether construction will be needed to increase the capacity of the jail.
KRDO Only 2019