Gov. Jared Polis pardons four turkeys in Colorado's inaugural Thanksgiving tradition

Four Colorado turkeys will be spared from the Thanksgiving table this year.

Driving the news: Gov. Jared Polis this week pardoned a gaggle of gobblers from Hayden Fresh Farm, marking the first turkeys to receive an official pardon in Colorado history.

• The four flock members — named Gus, Maple, Matilda and Pumpkin by Polis' children — were treated to a night at the governor's mansion in Denver ahead of the announcement.

Why it matters: Polis' pardon was meant to honor poultry farmers whose bottom lines have taken major blows amid the avian influenza outbreak, which has killed more than 6 million birds across the state.

• The governor also intends to make turkey pardons a new Thanksgiving tradition in Colorado.

What's next: The turkey quad will waddle out the rest of their days at Luvin Arms Animal Sanctuary in Weld County.

The big picture: Colorado's newest tradition mirrors one at the White House, where presidents have pardoned turkeys annually for decades.

• The National Turkey Federation has given presidents a turkey each year, starting with President Truman in 1947. The official pardoning tradition began under President George H.W. Bush in 1989, Axios' Shauneen Miranda writes.