Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a series of executive orders throughout 2026, granting full and unconditional pardons to 94 individuals and commuting the sentences of nine others.
These clemency actions, which span from May through November, represent a significant utilization of the governor’s constitutional authority to provide second chances to residents across the state.
The office of the governor released official documentation detailing the scope of these orders on the state’s official government portal. The process began on May 15, 2026, with a large batch of 44 pardons and 9 commutations, followed by another wave of 29 pardons on August 26, and a final group of 27 pardons issued on November 12.
The Scope of Clemency
The list of individuals receiving full and unconditional pardons includes Louise J. A. Almanzan, Tomas J. Arellanes, Denise E. Barber, Shawn M. Bishop, Robert S. Bunn, Rachel R. Byers, Alan D. Davis, Lanette L. Denton, Sasha N. Froyland, Raymond N. Grau, Samuel D. Hernandez, Michael R. Hock, William L. Hood, Melva L. Pitts, David C. Johnson, Erin J. Kalteich, Todd R. McAllister, Mark A. McGuire, Brian J. Neafus II, Matthew M. Neptune, Anna M. Reyes-Lucero, Kristin N. Robledo, Edward Sanchez Jr., Sean A. Sanger, James E. Tallo, Robert A. L. Vanasse, Kim M. Velasquez, Alexander D. Vucasovich, Joshua D. Wetzel, Patricia R. Woods, Robert W. Worrall II, Justin A. Young, Sheriece M. Hurd, Haydee Josefina Montes de Oca de McBride, and Anh K. H. Nguyen.
The August 26 group included Xochilt Alamillo, Harmony A. Baddeley-Spurlock, Idania A. Beltran, Derek G. Bilbrey, Darren R. Black, James E. Bruntz, Jr., Sarah L. Bunting, Seidilyn Burgos, Jonathan D. Carey, Hemmingway Dai, Jeremy R. Dieckhoff, Scott D. Dillon, Steve D. Estwick, Sr., Sabrina N. Flanagan, Ernest Flowers, Jr., Joshua T. Hayden, Max Hernandez, Steven Holzwarth, Aidan C. Kehoe, Robert K. Kile, Joseph J. Martinez, Ian S. McGehee, Chad S. Meiers, Haven D. Rohnert, Melanie R. Roth, Estela S. Saenz, Joshua V. Salazar, Justin L. Sandefur, and Travis S. Weickum.
The final group of pardons issued on November 12 included Victor P. Arellano, Richard L. Batdorf II, Timothy C. Cordova, Luis A. Day, Mitchell A. Downing, Scott K. Ellison, Daniel M. Emmaus, George G. Soon Fah, Matthew Focht, Craig A. Gipson, Phillip J. Hengemuhle, Ethan W. Hilton, Daniel R. Kelly, Thomas B. Knowles III, Bruce A. Korum, Christina L. Latimore, Michael J. Low, Yeu Ly, DeAnna D. Martinez, Justin D. Mills, Sabrina E. Montoya, Joshua W. Moore, Vanessa J. Peoples, Walter D. Spangler, Veronica M. Stewart, Kelly T. Stovall, and Jordan R. Wood.
Sentence Commutations
In addition to these pardons, Governor Polis granted commutations to Joseph N. Aguayo, Matthew Z. Aldaz, Eugene Gilbert, Conrad R. Harrell, Brandin E. Kreuzer, Mondo Moralez, Tina M. Peters, Richard C. Sandborn, and Wendell M. Weaver. These specific executive actions modify existing sentencing requirements for the named individuals.
While the governor has been active in exercising his executive clemency powers, his public profile has shifted in other arenas. According to Axios Denver, Governor Polis has been a noticeable absence on the 2026 campaign trail, marking a departure from the typical visibility expected of a sitting executive during an election year.
The decision to issue these pardons and commutations follows a pattern of executive review where the governor evaluates individual cases for potential relief from past criminal convictions. By removing the long-term barriers associated with a criminal record, such as employment restrictions or housing challenges, these pardons provide a legal path toward reintegration for the beneficiaries.
The sheer volume of these orders distinguishes the 2026 cycle as one of the more active periods for executive clemency in recent Colorado history. Each order, identified by a specific tracking number starting with C 2026, serves as a formal record of the state’s shift in addressing the lasting effects of criminal justice history on its citizens.
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