Associated Press - September 17, 2009 2:44 PM ET

PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) - Commissioners of 3 southern Colorado counties say the early release of about 6,000 prison inmates could hurt the economies of small communities where private prisons operate.

Colorado officials want to release the inmates early to help cut $320 million from the state budget.

Bent County Commissioner Bill Long said Wednesday most of the inmates who may be released early are in private prisons in Bent, Crowley and Huerfano counties.

Long says Bent and Crowley counties would feel the negative effects more than Huerfano whose private prison houses mostly inmates from Arizona.

The prisons are operated by Corrections Corporation of America. The state parole board must approve before any offender can qualify for early release.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.