Colorado’s SB22-099, also known as the “clean slate” legislation, has received a wealth of bipartisan support and is very close to its final stages. The legislation would seal nonviolent criminal records of people who have completed the conditions of their sentence and remained arrest-free for seven to ten years—a huge step in improving the circumstances for more than a whopping one million Coloradans.
That’s right, 1.3 million people will become eligible to have their records expunged as soon as the legislation becomes law. With 72% of Colorado’s population in support of the bill, it seems like a win-win. Everyone will benefit, from employers, to job seekers, to the state’s economy as a whole.
Though the legislation was spurred by the workforce shortages caused by COVID-19, it could have broader effects on the stigma people have towards those with criminal records. Not only will it open up employment opportunities across the board, but it could work to incentive people with nonviolent convictions to follow the law and not reoffend so that they, too can have their records expunged down the line.
For many, a criminal record is what stands between them and the job of their dreams. If you have a charge and you’re not sure if it has the potential to be expunged, we can help. Get in touch with Easy Expunctions to see if we can get you the fresh start you’ve been waiting for!