At Convict Coffee Company in Parker, the walls are decorated with prints from the Colorado-based Prison Art Experience, which gives incarcerated creatives the chance to earn income through their work. Some of the baked goods are sourced from Treasure House of Hope, a nonprofit that provides housing and career development opportunities for those seeking positive life changes. And alongside staples like Americanos and lattes, there are one-of-a-kind drinks such as the Orange Jumpsuit (Orange Crush and vanilla creamer).

The six-month-old coffeeshop’s unusual theme comes courtesy of Dan Klehm, who has the life experience to back it up: After serving nearly two years for various crimes in his early 20s, he worked his way up, from management to chief operating officer, at chains such as Applebee’s Grill & Bar and Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. The pay inequities Klehm, now 54, saw in those companies eventually encouraged him to start his own venture, with the help of his sons, Damien and Daniel. In the future, Klehm hopes to employ (and/or franchise to) formerly incarcerated people, but for now, he’s proud to have created a space for those who have experienced the prison system to support one another. “We’re having deep conversations with so many different people,” Klehm says, “whether it’s law enforcement, mothers of convicts, or people who have served time.”

5280 October 2024
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This article was originally published in 5280 October 2024.
Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia Kaowthumrong
Patricia joined the 5280 staff in July 2019 and is thrilled to oversee all of the magazine’s dining coverage. Follow her food reporting adventures on Instagram @whatispattyeating.