Denver aims to vacate pot convictions from years past

Denver officials are planning to vacate thousands of marijuana convictions prosecuted before its use became legal in the state.

Colorado was among the first states to broadly allow the use and sale of marijuana by adults, but cities elsewhere have led the way on automatic expungement or sealing of past misdemeanor marijuana convictions.

A spokeswoman for Mayor Michael Hancock said Dec. 4 that city officials are still working on a plan to review the low-level convictions deemed eligible, an estimated 10,000 convictions between 2001 and 2013.

Denver officials, including the city attorney, are developing the right approach with the district attorney's office, said Theresa Marchetta, Hancock's spokeswoman. The mayor may issue a sweeping executive order or direct city staff to work with legal authorities and clear the cases individually, she said.

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