(This story was updated 3/7/2025 to include a statement from the Colorado Department of Corrections)
As a follow-up to reports on the possible closure of the Delta Correctional Center, KVNF reached out to State Representative Matt Soper.
Representative Soper, a Republican from Delta, told KVNF that due to a busy day on Wednesday, discussion on the prison was moved to Thursday morning. Here's Representative Soper speaking late Wednesday evening on the Joint Budget Committee's process and his continued efforts to keep the facility open.
Rep. Matt Soper: As it stands right now, the Department of Corrections at first had said they did not want to close Delta and blamed a JBC staffer. Now they have recommended closing Delta. We are definitely fighting to keep the Delta prison open and the 124 workers.
It has almost a $14 million economic impact on our region. As the local legislator, I wrote a personal letter to each of the JBC members along with talking to each one of them and have been lobbying for the Delta prison to remain open. Right now I can tell you the Joint Budget Committee is not in favor of closing Delta. Though it seems really bizarre... the pivoting or bipolar nature of the Department of Corrections.
I will have more updates as they become available, but right now anyone wanting to make their voices heard needs to email or call members of the Joint Budget Committee. You can find out who those members are by visiting the legislature's website and then going to the Joint Budget Committee page.
UPDATE: Following the publication of this story, the Colorado Department of Corrections sent a statement clarifying its position on Rep. Matt Soper's comments that the CDOC was advocating for the closure of Delta Correction Center.
The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) is not advocating for the closure of Delta Correctional Center, nor has the department recommended its closure. Discussions related to facility operations and budget decisions are part of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) process, where multiple options are considered. However, CDOC has not proposed or endorsed closing Delta.
As we have communicated to staff, the Division of Criminal Justice (DCJ) has projected a more moderate growth in the prison population, allowing us to strategically manage resources while maintaining operations. Our proposal includes:
Relocating and expanding the Beacon Program to Rifle (FY 25/26) and Delta Correctional Centers (FY 26/27) to enhance programming opportunities while meeting future bed space projections.
Keeping Rifle Correctional Center open, despite previous recommendations made by the JBC analyst about a possible closure. Maintaining operations at Rifle remains a priority in our proposal.
Temporarily depopulating a unit at Delta Correctional Complex from April through June 2025, with plans to reopen in July 2025. While maintaining operations at the facility. This adjustment allows for more efficient use of resources, and staffing at Delta will not be affected.
These strategic adjustments reflect that CDOC has not been advocating for the closure of Delta Correctional Center. Our focus remains on maintaining operations at both Rifle and Delta Correctional Centers and expanding opportunities of the Beacon Program.
On Thursday, March 6, 2025 the Joint Budget Committee voted to keep both the Rifle and Delta prisons open. The Colorado Department of Corrections will have an opportunity to address the Joint Budget Committee Wednesday, March 12 on its proposed budget for CDOC.
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The correctional facility, located nine miles west of Delta, was originally named Roubideaux Conservation Training Camp with ninety-nine male inmates and seventeen full staff in 1964. The minimum custody correctional facility has experienced three expansions with the capacity of 477 male inmates and over 100 staff.
To find out who sits on the Joint Budget Committee, you can go to the state legislature's website at leg.colorado.gov. KVNF will continue to follow this story as more information becomes available.
