HIS CASE
19 YEARS OLD
120-YEAR PRISON SENTENCE
Nathan Christian Jordan has been incarcerated for approximately 25 years for serious, non-homicide offenses committed when he was 19 years old.
His 120-year sentence resulted from two Denver criminal cases and Colorado's habitual criminal sentencing law.
This page explains how a 19-year-old received a sentence measured in generations, what changed in Colorado law afterward, and why his family is asking for clemency today.
HOW DID 120 HAPPEN?
CASE ONE
72 YEARS
Denver District Court
Case No. 01CR2287
Aggravated robbery
Second-degree kidnapping
Aggravated motor vehicle theft
Possession of a weapon by a previous offender
CASE TWO
48 YEARS
Denver District Court
Case No. 01CR3805
Aggravated robbery
Ordered to run consecutively to the first sentence.
72 + 48 = 120 YEARS
Nathan was sentenced as a habitual criminal in both cases. The same two prior convictions were used in each habitual-criminal adjudication, substantially increasing the sentences imposed.
THE LAW LATER CHANGED
Nathan was sentenced under Colorado's habitual criminal law.
Two prior convictions were used to substantially increase the sentences in both of his cases. One of those prior convictions was an attempted escape conviction from his juvenile record.
Years later, Colorado changed the law.
In 2012, Colorado stopped allowing certain escape convictions to be used to trigger habitual-criminal sentencing. In 2017, the law was expanded further to include escapes from community corrections facilities.
Those changes applied going forward. They did not automatically undo sentences already imposed, including Nathan's.
2001 + NATHAN SENTENCED
2012 + LAW CHANGES
2017 + LAW EXPANDS FURTHER
TODAY + 120-YEAR SENTENCE STILL IN PLACE
WHY DIDN'T THE COURTS REDUCE HIS SENTENCE?
2016
FIRST PROPORTIONALITY REVIEW
Nathan challenged whether his combined 120-year sentence was constitutionally disproportionate. The court denied relief, and that decision was not appealed.
2019-2022
THE LAW ON REVIEW EVOLVED
In 2019, Wells-Yates clarified how Colorado courts should evaluate proportionality in habitual-criminal sentences. Nathan sought a new proportionality review in 2022 based on that development.
2024
PROCEDURAL BARRIERS REMAIN
The Colorado Court of Appeals affirmed the denial of Nathan's request, finding it successive and untimely and concluding that the later proportionality rules did not provide the retroactive exception he sought.
THE IMPORTANT DISTINCTION
The 2024 decision did not newly determine that a 120-year sentence was appropriate. The court affirmed the denial of Nathan's request for another proportionality review based on procedural barriers, including timeliness and successiveness.
WHO IS NATHAN 25 YEARS LATER?
THE 19-YEAR-OLD WHO ENTERED PRISON IS NOT
THE MAN HE IS TODAY
25 YEARS OF GROWTH
EDUCATION
COMPLETED HIS GED AND EARNED TWO ASSOCIATES DEGREES IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND PSYCHOLOGY
PROGRAMS AND TRAINING
COMPLETED MORE THAN 25 EDUCATIONAL, VOCATIONAL AND PERSONAL-DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND CERTIFICATES.
MENTORSHIP
MENTORS YOUNGER MEN IN PRISON, ENCOURAGING EDUCATION, FITNESS, SOBRIETY, STRONGER FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS AND THE WORK REQUIRED TO RETURN HOME.
PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION
FOR YEARS, NATHAN TRIED TO CONVINCE HIS SISTER TO ACCEPT THAT HE WOULD SPEND HIS LIFE IN PRISON. SHE REFUSED. INSTEAD, SHE ENCOURAGED HIM TO FIGHT FOR HIS LIFE BY LIVING LIKE A MAN WHO WOULD ONE DAY BE FREE.
WITH THAT HOPE, NATHAN BEGAN BUILDING A LIFE AROUND GROWTH, FAITH, ACCOUNTABILITY AND PREPARING HIMSELF FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF FREEDOM.
WHY CLEMENCY?
CLEMENCY IS NOT ABOUT ERASING WHAT NATHAN DID AT 19.
IT IS ABOUT ASKING WHETHER 25 YEARS LATER, THE SENTENCE STILL FITS THE MAN.
Nathan is not asking anyone to excuse the harm he caused. He is asking for the opportunity to be considered for who he is today, after approximately 25 years of incarceration, accountability, rehabilitation and change.
IF NATHAN COMES HOME
After approximately 25 years of incarceration, Nathan would not be starting over alone.
HOME
WORK & TRANSPORTATION
HEALTH & SUPPORT
PERMANENT HOUSING WITH FAMILY
Nathan has a permanent home waiting for him with his sister.
“I have made sure that every home I have ever lived in has had an extra bedroom for him whenever he comes home.”
EMPLOYMENT & TRADE TRAINING
Nathan has family and community connections prepared to help him develop employment skills and transition into the workforce, including hands-on training in the skilled trades.
TRANSPORTATION
Reliable transportation has already been committed to help Nathan work, attend appointments and rebuild an independent life.
MENTAL HEALTH & REENTRY SUPPORT
Nathan has a network of family, friends and professionals prepared to support his transition home, including access to therapy, trauma-focused care and reentry resources.
COMMUNITY
Nathan would return to a community that has spent years preparing for his success, with people ready to help him navigate the practical and emotional realities of rebuilding a life after approximately 25 years of incarceration.