Release on June 1
Colorado Governor Jared Polis commuted the sentence of Tina Peters, a former Mesa County clerk convicted of tampering with election equipment, ordering her release on June 1. Peters, 70, was serving a nine-year sentence after being convicted for allowing unauthorized access to voting records following the 2020 election. Polis announced the decision Friday, halving her sentence and making her eligible for release next month.
Rationale for Commutation
Polis defended his decision, stating that Peters' sentence was "disproportionate for a first time, non-violent offender." He clarified that he was not pardoning Peters, who he acknowledged violated state law by lying to the Secretary of State and illegally accessing a computer room in 2021. Polis wrote in a Facebook post that her actions were "clearly illegal, wrong, and financially costly to Mesa County, and Colorado," but that the laws should be applied fairly.
Swift Condemnation
The commutation drew immediate condemnation from prominent Democrats. Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called Polis' decision "mind-boggling and wrong as a matter of basic justice." Secretary of State Jena Griswold stated that Polis' actions would "validate and embolden the election denial movement." Senator John Hickenlooper said reducing her sentence "sends the wrong message to those seeking to undermine trust in our elections." Matt Crane, the Republican executive director of the Colorado County Clerks Association, said he was "furious, disgusted, and deeply disappointed" by the decision.
Trump's Involvement
President Trump, who has long championed Peters' case, posted "FREE TINA!" on social media shortly after the announcement. Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert suggested that Trump had previously blocked funds for a clean drinking water project in Colorado over Peters' prosecution. Boebert claimed she hoped the commutation would convince Trump to release the funds for the water project that would support clean water for 50,000 people.
Boebert's Claims
Boebert stated that she and her office worked "hand-in-hand with President Donald Trump, to highlight Tina’s case and demand fairness." She told 9News Denver that "We were told that Tina was the reason we couldn’t get water," referencing Trump withholding funds. In January, Trump vetoed a bill that would have funded the drinking water project, citing financial concerns, despite unanimous support from Colorado lawmakers.
Peters' Statement
In a statement shared through her lawyer, Peters expressed remorse for her actions, saying, "I made mistakes, and for those I am sorry." She added, "I have learned and grown during my time in prison and going forward I will make sure that my actions always follow the law, and I will avoid the mistakes of the past."
The governor issued 35 pardons and nine commutations on Friday, with Peters being one of the 44 people who received clemency.
