New life for former Las Animas prison

A former prison in southeast Colorado is getting a visit from state lawmakers who are considering whether to repurpose the prison as a treatment center for the homeless.

Several legislative budget-writers planned to visit the former Fort Lyon Correctional Facility near Las Animas on Monday. The lawmakers are considering a proposal from the governor to use the former prison as a voluntary treatment center for the chronically homeless, especially veterans.

The governor’s office is asking for $6 million or so over the next two fiscal years to make the change. The prison was closed two years ago because of a declining prison population.

Fort Lyon was envisioned as a treatment facility for up to 200 homeless people who would receive job training and mental health and drug treatment.