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Castle Rock approves mega-mall after heated hearing over prairie dogs

Prairie dog in Castle Rock, Colo.

CASTLE ROCK, Colo. — The Castle Rock Town Council gave final approval Tuesday night for a brand new mega-mall to be built just behind the Castle Rock Outlet Mall.

But the vote came after a heated public hearing about the prairie dogs that live on the land where the new shopping center will be built.

Some residents are upset about what will happen to the hundreds of prairie dogs that are there. They’ll be exterminated to make way for one of the biggest shopping complexes in the country.

Castle Rock leaders say there is overwhelming support for the new development among most of their constituents. They believe it will mean jobs and positive economic growth for the community.

But the group that wants to protect the prairie dogs vows it will keep fighting for them.