“I am an ex-convict and I believe in second chances,” says Dan Klehm, owner of Convict Coffee. Throughout the country, people who have been incarcerated have difficulty finding jobs. Many companies will not hire them; even if they do, they don’t get many opportunities to advance. For Klehm, this was a problem. 

  Klehm, who has worked as a chief operating officer and vice president for multiple restaurants, decided to change things. “I was disillusioned with the direction of the industry, seeing many people at the top getting rich while employees struggled to make it. I also was at a point in my life where the very most important thing to me was to make a difference with the rest of my career,” said Klehm. 

  This feeling of disillusionment led Klehm to change his life, getting sober and starting his company, which aims to give people a second chance and an opportunity to create connections and build strong foundations.

  “I wanted to create a company that supported that vision and was a place where everyone is welcome to come as they are. On Christmas Day 2023, I got sober and stopped drinking and using drugs. I had accepted a CEO job in Las Vegas, but that morning in a moment of clarity I decided I wanted to create a different kind of company,” said Klehm.

  In 2024, Convict Coffee was created with the slogan, “Get out, do good.” Their mission is to help non-violent felons rehabilitate and change their lives for the better. They also aim to create a welcoming and respectful community for everyone who enters. Employee Ava Hendren has been with the company for six months and has been impacted by the strong connections.

  “The team and the support we all have for each other is something I have never experienced. They truly are my family. The causes we support are the next best part. Working for a place that is making a difference is so amazing to watch and be a part of,” said Hendren. 

  Hendren’s time at the company has helped push her to become the best version of herself and build a community of peers who have helped her on her journey. The awareness the company brings and the respect and compassion it puts out are truly special.

  “This company is truly just all of us having a good time while trying to bring awareness to issues that don’t get the recognition they need. We want people to recognize that you can support your community, have fun, and make good drinks while doing it,” said Hendren.

  Convict Coffee only has one location in Parker, but Klehm hopes to open a second location here in Aurora. He wants people to understand that their money matters and that they should support local small businesses instead of large corporations.

  “As a consumer, you have a huge impact by how you vote with your dollar. You can spend it on corporate coffee, making investors richer or you can spend it on local shops doing good things where the money stays in your community,” says Klehm.