Overview
- The Joint Budget Committee voted 4–2 to deny $2.4 million for 788 state prison beds, even as it previously okayed 153 private beds.
- The panel funded only half of requested jail and medical costs and delayed a $3.9 million PERA payment to keep services stable while a broader strategy is developed.
- At an oversight hearing, DOC leaders said prisons are nearly 800 beds short, are relying on costlier county jails, and are exploring leasing closed private facilities or building a new prison.
- Lawmakers pressed for alternatives, citing a drop of more than 300 discretionary paroles this year and a roughly 750-person sex‑offender treatment waitlist that is keeping people past parole dates.
- Colorado WINS opposed adding beds due to a staffing crisis, Republicans warned safety risks are rising without capacity relief, and the Governor’s office is set to brief the budget committee Monday.