The convictions in the latest round stretch back as far as 1975 and include offenses such as theft, burglary, drug possession and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, according to the governor's office.

In a letter sent to each recipient, Polis wrote that many people with criminal histories deserve a second chance.

"Many people with criminal histories deserve a second chance, and you have earned one," Polis wrote. "I am doing so because you have demonstrated your commitment to moving past your conviction and starting anew, while taking with you lessons you've learned throughout your life."

A pardon is an executive clemency order. It can restore certain rights and offer relief, but it does not necessarily mean the recipient was innocent or that the conviction has been erased.

The 27 people pardoned Thursday were Victor Arellano, Richard Batdorf, Timothy Cordova, Luis Day, Mitchell Downing, Scott Ellison, Daniel Emmans, George Soon Fah, Matthew Focht, Craig Gipson, Phillip Hengemuhle, Ethan Hilton, Daniel Kelly, Thomas Knowles, Bruce Korum, Christina Latimore, Michael Low, Yeu Ly, DeAnna Martinez, Justin Mills, Sabrina Montoya, Joshua Moore, Vanessa Peoples, Walter Spangler, Veronica Stewart, Kelly Stovall and Jordan Wood.

Thursday's action is the third round of clemency this year. In May, Polis granted clemency to 44 people, including 35 pardons and nine sentence commutations. In August, he pardoned 29 more. In total, the governor has granted 165 pardons and 35 commutations in 2026, according to his office.

The May round drew particular attention because it included Tina Peters, the former Republican Mesa County clerk convicted of election interference and tampering with election equipment. Polis pardoned Peters, who had been serving a nine-year prison sentence, over the objection of his own clemency board.

Azra Taslimi, a civil rights attorney who sat on the governor's clemency board for three years, said the board reviewed Peters's application twice and recommended against a pardon both times.

"Once he pardoned Tina Peters, my colleague and I spoke out since the board had decided not to pardon her and he did it anyway," Taslimi said. "We came to a collective conclusion that a pardon for Tina Peters should not be granted; she didn't meet the requirements. We were asked to review her application twice; both decisions were no, and Polis granted clemency anyway."

Taslimi said the decision raised questions about consistency in how clemency is applied.

"We are in the business of wanting people to get clemency. We want the governor to exercise this more freely," she said. "Polis granting Tina Peters clemency felt as if she was getting a benefit that others weren't afforded."

In a May statement announcing that round of clemency, Polis described the pardon power as "a serious responsibility ... not one that I take lightly" that "comes with great consideration and sometimes even controversy."

Governors typically issue most of their pardons in their final year in office. Former Gov. John Hickenlooper, a Democrat now serving in the U.S. Senate, issued 89 pardons during his tenure.

Polis will continue reviewing clemency applications submitted before the April 3 deadline for the duration of his term. He leaves office in January, when Gov.-elect Phil Weiser is sworn in.