Governor Jared Polis granted clemency to over two dozen people just before Christmas. These individuals had criminal convictions that went back as far as 40 years. Polis praised them for staying sober and giving back to their communities.
Among those pardoned was a woman convicted of drug distribution who has been sober for 16 years and helps others struggling with addiction. Another man, also convicted of drug distribution, turned his life around, built a successful business, and works to create opportunities for marginalized communities. A third man, convicted of indecent exposure and drug possession in the 90s, is now a substance abuse counselor and organizes ocean cleanups.
One of the pardons went to Buck Glanz, who was convicted of racketeering in 2011. After his conviction, he went to law school and became a public defender. Polis praised Glanz for the hard work he put in after his conviction and encouraged him to continue on a positive path. Glanz, now working as a public defender in Albuquerque, expressed his gratitude for the pardon, saying it lifted a huge burden from him.
Colorado’s constitution allows the governor to grant clemency, which includes pardons and commutations. A pardon forgives a crime after the person has completed their sentence. For felonies, a pardon can only be granted seven years after the sentence is finished, and for misdemeanors, three years must pass. A commutation reduces a sentence.
One commutation was granted to Victor Clark, who had been serving a 66-year sentence for his role in a series of bank robberies. He has been in prison for 13 years but will now be eligible for parole in 2030. Polis noted that Clark’s sentence was harsher than those of his co-defendants and praised his efforts to improve himself while incarcerated.
Clemency decisions often come at the end of the year, coinciding with the holiday season. Polis expressed confidence in the recipients’ ability to move forward with their lives.