Two men sentenced to life in prison for murder in the 1990s will have the chance to walk free again after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commuted their sentences Friday. Polis shortened prison sentences for four people and pardoned another 22 people of their crimes in his annual clemency action. Ronald Janoushek, 69, convicted of first-degree murder in 1993, and Rudy Giron, 57, convicted of first-degree murder in 1994, will both become eligible for parole in January 2033, Polis decided. Both men had been sentenced to life in prison without parole and have spent three decades behind bars. In letters to the men, Polis cited their good behavior in prison as justification for the clemency, and noted that the victim’s family in Giron’s case believed his sentence was too harsh and advocated for him to become eligible for parole. After his arrest, Giron was offered a plea deal that carried a 32-year prison sentence, but took the case to trial and lost, receiving a mandatory life sentence, Polis noted. Both men became leaders in prison, Polis wrote. “It is obvious that those you interact with in prison, including the wardens of the prisons where you have resided, trust you and believe you serve your time in an honorable way,” Polis wrote to Janoushek. The governor also commuted the prison sentence for Travis Colvin, 63, who was in 1988 sentenced to 154 years in prison for numerous crimes that included sexual assault, attempted first-degree murder, and motor vehicle theft, according to the commutation. He will be eligible for parole in 2028. Additionally, Polis decided that Victor Clark, 46, will be eligible for parole in 2030, 21 years earlier than he would have been eligible after he was sentenced in 2012 to 66 years in prison for his role in a string of bank robberies. The governor noted that co-defendants involved in the robberies received less severe punishments. Polis on Thursday also issued 22 pardons, erasing convictions for theft, check fraud, drug possession and distribution, racketeering, indecent exposure and trespassing. The governor noted in the letters that attitudes and laws surrounding drugs have changed significantly since these convictions, many of which date back decades. In others, he wrote that certain felony offenses would be misdemeanors under today’s statute. The 22 people issued pardons have gone on to thrive in professional careers despite the convictions, the governor wrote. Related Articles Crime and Public Safety | State economic forecasts paint slightly rosier budget picture — but next year’s deficit is still dire Crime and Public Safety | Colorado leads growing movement toward employee-owned businesses Crime and Public Safety | Judge tosses Douglas County’s lawsuit challenging state immigration laws restricting cooperation Crime and Public Safety | Colorado marks $12 million EV milestone with new high speed chargers Crime and Public Safety | Colorado voters undecided in early poll of governor’s race for 2026 Democratic primary Cheryl Mohan-Athey, an Army vet and U.S. Postal Service employee, has maintained sobriety for 16 years and now helps others struggling with addiction. Wayne Balis, a professional ski patroller and business owner, mentors inmates in the Colorado Department of Corrections. Tyler Green became a drug and substance abuse counselor, working with people experiencing homelessness. “I hope this pardon allows you to advance your career and serve your community,” Polis told Buck Glanz, who went to law school and became a public defender. The governor also granted pardons to Mary Arneson, Isaac Badgerow, Johnny Bishop, Rachel Byers, Jeffrey Davies, Darrell Drewer, Kent Frisbie, Shawn Gilley, Gregory Gordon, Randy Guthridge, Christopher Hall, Ryan Hanscom, Michael Lovette, Steve Salazar, Brian Valish, Steven Venable, Ronnie West Jr., and Mark Young. Those who are pardoned are granted all full rights of citizenship, including voting, jury duty, holding public office and firearm possession. Sign up to get crime news sent straight to your inbox each day.