State Sen. Pete Lee of Colorado Springs and Rep. Leslie Herod of Denver, two of Colorado’s leading advocates for criminal justice reform, have received the first CommunityCares Award from CommunityWorks, a statewide job-training nonprofit.

The two Democrats were lauded for their work on the reforms that help people transition back into society or stay out of jail in the first place, while working to “reform the criminal legal system and promote positive change in Colorado neighborhoods.”

Lee, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said Friday he was honored.

“I am proud to share many of the same goals as this incredible organization: promoting community-driven action and involvement that helps progress the well-being and positive trajectory of our communities,” he said in a statement. “I am deeply committed to keeping our cities and towns safe by promoting policies to foster accountability, rehabilitation and successful re-entry into our communities, and I look forward to continuing to advocate for criminal and juvenile justice reform in the state of Colorado to ensure that it is fair and just.”

Herod is a member of the powerful Joint Budget Committee, as well as chairing the House Appropriations Committee. 

This story was updated to include Herod’s award, as well.