Southern Colorado Weighs in on Denver wanting to erase low-level marijuana offenses

Denver Mayor Michael Hancock will vacate low-level marijuana convictions for more than 10,000 people who were charged before the legalization of pot.

Hancock said the move is part of a continuing effort to promote inclusion for people and communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

Not surprisingly, the news drew a strong reaction from both sides of the issue.

It’s definitely a concept many people aren’t too sure of.

To be clear the convictions will not be fully erased, their cases will just be sealed.

So when they’re applying to jobs or looking to rent apartments they will not need to mention their conviction.

“It affects their ability to get jobs, their ability to pass security clearances, their ability to find apartments rent, their ability to get loans,” said Attorney Jeremy Loew.

Tuesday, Hancock, announced his plan to clear convictions prior to 2014.

Everyone we asked around Southern Colorado said they stand behind the mayor’s decision.

“I would like for low-income families and individuals to get a break and move on with their lives,” said Nancy Reinking, Colorado Springs.

“I don’t see anything really bad with it. I think that people should have a second opportunity and second chance to redeem themselves especially because it is now legal,” said Roxanna Rivera from Pueblo.

But could that ever happen right here in Colorado Springs?

In a statement from Mayor John Suthers, he says it’s not an idea he plans to adopt. Right now, the city throws out all low-level juvenile convictions. And the mayor says most of the strain is actually on the county court system.

We also reached out to local law enforcement in Southern Colorado, including El Paso, Teller, and Pueblo Counties.

Though many of them either couldn’t talk or said they wanted more time to evaluate what it would mean.”

But some we spoke with in Colorado Springs would like to see a policy like this in the city.

“It being legal, illegal… we were already on the path of this progression for a while just because other states had already legalized it,” said Lauren Parr from Colorado Springs.

And with Denver leading the way, who knows what the future holds closer to home.

With legal hurdles to clear, it’s not certain how things will work out in Denver.

In the meantime, it’s safe to say, it’s not something we’ll see in Southern Colorado any time soon.