The death penalty is often justified as a tool for public safety, but decades of research show that it does not deter violent crime. States without the death penalty consistently have equal or lower homicide rates than states that continue to use it (Radelet & Lacock, 2009). Long‑term incarceration, including life without parole, provides the same level of public protection without taking a human life. If the goal is safety, the evidence is clear: executions do not make communities safer. 

I am calling on the people of Colorado and supporters across the United States to join me in urging Governor Jared Polis to support the permanent abolition of the death penalty and to advocate for humane, ethical, and evidence‑based justice reform. My comprehensive research into the death penalty has revealed deep flaws in how this punishment is applied, the harm it causes, and the ways it fails to meet the goals of a fair and effective criminal justice system.

The death penalty is not just a moral issue but a matter of justice and equity. It is disproportionately applied to marginalized groups, including people of color and those with lower socioeconomic status, revealing inherent biases within our legal system. Furthermore, the risk of executing innocent people continues to loom over every death sentence—an irreversible mistake that our justice system cannot afford.

The financial costs associated with the death penalty are astoundingly high, draining resources that could be better allocated to crime prevention, education, and rehabilitation. Solutions that address the root causes of crime more effectively than capital punishment.

My research also highlighted the severe psychological harm caused by the death penalty. Individuals on death row experience extreme isolation, chronic fear, and deteriorating mental health. This is often referred to as “death row syndrome.” But the trauma does not stop there. Correctional officers who participate in executions report symptoms similar to post‑traumatic stress disorder. Families of victims and families of the condemned often experience long‑term grief, guilt, and emotional distress. A justice system should not inflict widespread psychological harm on the very people it claims to protect.

Governor Jared Polis has the opportunity to lead Colorado in joining the growing number of states that recognize the death penalty as a failed policy. By abolishing it, Colorado can pave the way for a more equitable justice system and truly prioritize public safety and humane treatment.

Join me in urging Governor Polis to take a stand against the death penalty and to champion a justice system that values human dignity and upholds ethical standards.

Thank you for taking the time to consider, and I hope you will show your support by signing this petition to advocate for the abolition of the death penalty in Colorado.

Amarachi I. 

You may also contact the governor's office directly to show your support:

Office of Governor Jared Polis
Colorado State Capitol
200 E. Colfax Avenue, Room 136
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303‑866‑2471
Fax: 303‑866‑2003
Email / Contact Form: https://www.colorado.gov/governor

References 

Radelet, M. L., & Lacock, T. L. (2009). Do executions lower homicide rates? The views of leading criminologists. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 489–508. https://scholarlycommons.law.northwestern.edu/jclc/vol99/iss2/7/