WASHINGTON -- Millions of people in the United States have criminal records and one of the biggest challenges for them is finding a job.
On Tuesday, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper (D) will participate in a bipartisan roundtable discussion at the White House. He'll meet with executives from large and small businesses on the challenges and benefits of hiring people who have criminal records
Putting People with Criminal Records to Work: A National Business Roundtable, was organized by The Council of State Governments Justice Center and the National Reentry Resource Center.
According to the center, an estimated 70 million adults in the U.S. have criminal histories, and while many have marketable job skills, they are frequently unable to find suitable employment due to barriers tied to their criminal records.
Today's discussion will look at ways to remove barriers to employment, for example initiatives like "ban the box."
Business participating in today's roundtable discussion include Uber, Home Depot, Papa Johns, and Koch industries.
Governor Hickenlooper has been proactive in criminal justice reform. This month he said he's considering releasing nearly 40 inmates with non-violent marijuana related convictions. Last year, he signed a bill passed by the state legislature that allows people convicted of misdemeanor marijuana possession or use to petition to their local district court to have their criminal records relating to the cases sealed if the crimes were committed after Dec. 10, 2012.
