"Businesses and families all across Colorado are tightening their belts and making tough decisions," Ritter said. "So is state government. We're streamlining services, cutting spending and finding smarter, less expensive and more efficient ways of doing business and serving the public."

The governor added, "I understand these furlough days will be a hardship on employees and their families, and on those who rely on the services that state employees provide."

In 2009, about 15,000 employees will take four furlough days. The first two were taken Sept. 8 and Oct. 9. The remaining two will come Nov. 27 and Dec. 31. The state's tradition of pairing furlough days with holiday weekends will continue in 2010.

Employees will take unpaid leave on Jan. 15, the Friday before Martin Luther King Jr. Day; Feb. 12, the Friday before Presidents' Day; April 2, Good Friday and May 28, the Friday before Memorial Day.

The governor's office says the eight closure days will save about $27.2 million in the 2009-2010 fiscal year.

Over the past year, the global recession has forced Ritter and lawmakers to close budget shortfalls of about $1.8 billion.

Ritter will present the legislature's Joint Budget Committee with a plan to close an additional $270 million shortfall at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday.



Ritter is prohibited by state law to take a furlough, but a state offical tells 9NEWS Ritter plans to pay the state back for the eight days.