Better is to provide examples of data, in this case from both data sets, and an example of the type of Join (sql does joins, not merges which in SAS is a bit different than any type of join) you are attempting.
You don't appear to show the starting value of any variable, just an incomplete output. You don't show the actual "county" or "ct" variables referenced. So it is pretty hard to tell what is going on.
I will say that I see no place that you attempt to use the literal value "county" adding to your string.
A guess would be
CT_NEW = CATX(', ', CT, county,'County, Colorado');
to add "County, Colorado" to every string.
or if you really think you need to add two different pieces to the same effect
CT_NEW = CATX(', ', CT, county, 'County', 'Colorado');
It is a good idea to post Code into a code or text box opened on the forum with the </> or "running man" icons that appear above the message window. This forum will reformat text pasted into the main message and has been known to result is some interesting things that won't run as a result. Also the boxes set code, or Log, apart from the discussion visually.