Convict Coffee, under the partnership and leadership of Dan Klehm and his sons, Daniel and Damien, is on a mission to make a difference. With an array of traditional coffee drinks, matcha, chais and filthy pops, baked goods and grilled cheese sandwiches, it’s the perfect spot to hang out with friends and feel a place of belonging.
Dan grew up in the Bay Area under difficult circumstances. “As an adult, I served a little bit under two years in the California system,” Dan shares. But inspired by the birth of his first son, Damien, he was determined to change the trajectory of his life. Dan is passionate about helping people turn their lives around. He sees the need specifically for those who have been incarcerated or are headed in that direction.
With 40 years of experience working within the restaurant industry, as a Vice President and COO, Dan was exhausted by the shallow workings of the trade. “I was disappointed in what I saw. Underpaid employees, greedy investors and a lack of commitment to improving the community were what I observed,” he shares.
Christmas of 2023 defined an awakening for Dan. He realized his true passion to create a better structure of success. He and his sons put a business plan together and by April of 2024, they were open for business. They decided together that Convict Coffee would not become a business that made one CEO rich, it would be a mission-oriented effort to better the lives of all of those involved along with four vital causes.
“We dove into Convict Coffee with the idea of taking on four main causes: recidivism, reduction (boost programs that keep youth out of trouble), rehabilitation instead of incarceration and the last cause that is really important to me is that there’s a place where everybody feels safe. People from all walks of life can come together and really feel like they can be themselves… We have this swath of community here where everybody feels welcome and ultimately for me that is very important that that was our mission,” Dan says.
“Our goal is to consistently ask ourselves, who else can we partner with to grow our footprint, get out in the community,” Dan emphasizes that they are on mission. With a full event calendar, Convict Coffee has a heart to gather and partner with the community.
Everywhere you turn in Convict Coffee, you’re reminded of their cause-driven effort. They share the charities they’re currently giving toward and proudly display Prison Art Experience prints that people can buy.
“I would definitely shout out First Crack as being an incredible partner, helping us get started, giving me a lot of advice on equipment and what kind of beans to roast [etc.),” Dan acknowledges the partners and collaborations that have gotten them to where they are.
“Our mission is, ‘Get out. Do good.’ Get out, do good, and that's not just get out of prison and do good. It's to get off the couch and do good. It's get out of your house and do good, get out of your head and do good,” Dan expresses his passion for people in general. “I’ve learned how many cool people are out there doing cool things.”
Specifically, he shares, “Parker in particular, there’s so many cool people that have supported us that have brought us different causes to work with. It’s pretty inspiring.”
Visit Convict Coffee, 19519 E Parker Square Dr, Parker, CO 80134 to support this coffee on a mission. ConvictCoffeeCo.com
“Parker in particular, there’s so many cool people that have supported us that have brought us different causes to work with. It’s pretty inspiring.”