Convict Coffee Company

Coffee Shops

5.0(556 reviews)

The take

A coffee shop run by a guy who did time, roasting beans from a women's prison in Denver, funding juvenile diversion programs with the proceeds. The coffee is genuinely good. The story is better.

Why it's here

Dan Klehm opened Convict Coffee in Parker Square in 2024 with his two sons. Klehm left home at 12, spent most of his teens and twenties in and out of incarceration, then, after seeing his newborn son through prison glass at Vacaville, climbed out of it. He went on to become a VP at Applebee's, Rock Bottom Brewery, and Illegal Pete's. Christmas Day 2023, he pitched the coffee shop to his now-adult sons. Four months later it opened.

The tagline is "Get Out. Do Good." Every quarter, a rotating local nonprofit gets proceeds from every cup, Step Seven Ministries (recovery housing in Parker), Treasure House of Hope, a juvenile assessment center. Total donated in the first year: roughly $40K. The cold brew is roasted by Redemption Roasters at Denver Women's Correctional Facility, where the women roasting are paid a full wage. The espresso blend is sourced from First Craft in Denver.

None of this would matter if the drinks were mediocre, they're not. The menu is heavy on "dirty sodas" and "dirty Red Bulls" (a couple dozen variations, including D's Nuts, amaretto, hazelnut cold brew, oat milk), matcha, chais, and a short food list built around grilled cheeses, including a jalapeño-popper version that is the actual sleeper item. The space is board games, video games, outdoor patios, dog-friendly. Klehm is usually on-site.

Know before you go

Go for

•The Cortado (Klehm's own order, a tell)
•D's Nuts dirty cold brew if you want the signature
•The jalapeño-popper grilled cheese
•Bags of the Catalyst espresso blend to take home ($20)

Timing

Weekday mornings 7–9am is commuter rush. Weekend mornings 8–11am get families and the dog crowd on the patio. Afternoons are calm and the best time to actually talk to staff or Klehm if he's in. Closes at 7pm weekdays, 6pm weekends.

Pro tip

The art on the walls is from Art for Redemption, all for sale, proceeds to the artists. Ask about a piece if you like it; they'll tell you the artist's story.

Skip / heads up

This is not a quiet-laptop-work café on weekend mornings. It's loud, kid-heavy, dogs on the patio, board games on tables. If you need to grind on email, go on a weekday or go elsewhere. The "dirty" drinks are sweet, if you want straight espresso, stick with the Cortado or a pour-over.

By Mara Holloway