Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-Colorado) pardoned 23 offenders Friday. All had served their sentences and were deemed “contributing members of their communities.”
The individuals were convicted on a spectrum of offenses, ranging from possession of controlled substances or marijuana to aggravated robbery with a real or simulated weapon to fraud.
“These individuals have demonstrated that they have moved beyond their mistakes and are committed to taking advantage of the second chance they have been given," Hickenlooper said in a statement released Friday. "It’s our belief that they will make the most of this opportunity by doing even more for their families and their communities.”
The pardons were issued as executive orders. They restore the individuals’ “rights of citizenship, including … voting, jury duty, holding public office, and firearms privileges” without condition.
Each pardon included Hickenlooper’s executive order and a personal letter to the offender alerting them that their application for pardon had been granted.
Hickenlooper concluded each letter with encouragement.
“Show them how it’s done. Good luck to you," the governor wrote.
The statement announcing the pardons said Hickenlooper considered input from victims, judges, prosecutors, and others, and an extensive review of application materials.
To date, the governor has pardoned 89 individuals.
