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Commission Approves Parks-Wildlife Merger Plan

DENVER (AP) -- The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission has unanimously approved a final plan to implement a merger of Colorado State Parks and the state Division of Wildlife.

Agency officials say the plan approved Thursday will provide the basis to begin organizing the 880 employees in the new agency, known as Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and merging the state's parks and wildlife programs. The plan also will be used to develop a report to lawmakers this month on the progress of the merger.

Gov. John Hickenlooper had suggested the merger with hopes of saving the state $3 million to $4 million a year. He signed a bill into law last year to combine the agencies.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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