Prison study concerns Canon City leaders

Officials in Canon City – home to seven of Colorado’s 20 prisons – say they are concerned the local economy will take a hit if the state decides to close some of the facilities.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports the Governor’s Office of State Planning and Budgeting is looking into the use of prisons and whether some should be closed. The study was initiated after the state prison population dropped by 1,573 inmates in fiscal year 2011-12. That population continues to decline.

Canon City Mayor Tony Greer says the prisons and their employees are a “very critical” part of the local economy.

The results of the study are expected to be released June 30.