Private Prison Contract in Ault Rescinded

CCJRC signed on with Rep. Buffy McFadyen asking the Colorado Department of Corrections to rescind the contract with the GEO group. Rep McFadyen was specifically concerned because of the controversy surround the procurement process and the role that former DOC employee Nolin Renfrow had in helping GEO to win that contract. The CBI investigation into Mr. Renfrow's role has yet to be completed.

The Department of Corrections has not decided whether it will issue another RFP.

The Greeley Tribune - Plans for a private prison in Ault came to a halt recently when Colorado Department of Corrections rescinded its offer to GEO Group.

Ault Mayor Brad Bayne said board members haven’t discussed the prison for months.

“Until there was some sort of guarantee, we’d just rather not talk about it,” he said. “There is probably some disappointment from me and a few board members who believe we still could have made it work for the town.”

Talk of the 1,500-bed medium-security prison surfaced last spring and produced some turmoil in the town of fewer than 1,500 residents. Some said a prison coming to town would boost the town’s economy, but others said it would be too dangerous because of its proximity to the town. The plan was to build on 40 acres in the southeast part of town.

Last spring, the GEO Group entered into a tentative agreement with the town — which approved the prison in concept only — so it could secure state approval to build there. Months later, the town board passed an ordinance requiring resident approval before any prison could be built. Town officials haven’t heard from a GEO Group representative since September, when GEO hosted a public forum answering questions from residents, he said.
Greeley Tribune