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OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.

WWW.COLORADO.GOV/GOVERNOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TUESDAY, SEPT. 8, 2009

CONTACTS

Wil Alston, 303.917.8059, wil.alston@state.co.us

Evan Dreyer, 720.350.8370, evan.dreyer@state.co.us

REMINDER: STATE GOVERNMENT CLOSURE DAY IS TODAY

Many state government offices will be closed today (Tuesday Sept. 8), the first of
four closure days over the next few months, to help keep the state budget balanced
during the economic recession.

State driver’s license offices, the Department of Public Health and Environment’s
vital records office, state history museums, and administrative offices for
executive branch departments will be among the facilities closed Tuesday, with
about 15,500 employees on unpaid furlough.

State parks will be open (except for visitor centers). State troopers will be
patrolling the highways. The Department of Transportation’s Traffic Operations
Center will be running, as will unemployment benefit offices, and state nursing
homes, hospitals and care centers. The state Judicial Branch and courts,
Treasurer’s Office, Attorney General’s Office, Secretary of State’s Office and
state colleges and universities also will be open.

In addition to Sept. 8, this year’s closure days will be Oct. 9, Nov. 27 and Dec.
31, saving a total of $13.6 million.

Other states are taking similar steps to help erase shortfalls and keep their
budgets balanced. In Maine, state offices will be closed 10 days this fiscal year.

“All across Colorado, families and businesses are making tough choices,” said Gov.
Ritter, who first announced the closure days in July. “State government is doing
the same. We’re continuing to tighten our belt, make sacrifices, and find more
efficient and effective ways to serve the people and businesses of Colorado. While
the recession has slowed us down, it hasn’t stopped us. Colorado is faring better
than many other states. And by working together, Colorado will emerge from this
downturn quicker, stronger and healthier.”

Gov. Ritter thanked state employees for the sacrifices they are making. Gov.
Ritter is prohibited by law from being furloughed, but he will be repaying the
equivalent of four days’ pay, or $1,250, to the state treasury.

Over the past year, Gov. Ritter and lawmakers have closed budget shortfalls
totaling $1.8 billion. State spending is down 10.4 percent and 300 positions are
being eliminated. Nationally, states are struggling with shortfalls averaging
nearly 25 percent of their budgets.

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