Jared Polis Commutes Tina Peters' Nine-Year Sentence, Orders Parole Release June 1

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commuted former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters’ nine-year prison sentence for tampering with Colorado’s election systems after Peters acknowledged wrongdoing in a clemency application, and Polis said she would be released on parole June 1.

“By Edward-Isaac Dovere, Marshall Cohen, CNN (CNN) — Tina Peters, the Republican former election clerk imprisoned for crimes related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election, will receive clemency from Colorado’s Democratic Gov”

ABC17NEWS

CBS News reported Polis told CBS News Colorado’s Karen Morfitt that he decided to commute Peters’ sentence because her long prison term was "very unusual for a first-time nonviolent offender."

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In the same decision, Polis said he agreed with an appellate court ruling that found the judge who sentenced Peters had put too much weight on her beliefs about election fraud, which are a form of protected speech.

NPR reported Polis said he was effectively cutting her sentence in half to four and a half years, and that she would have spent more than 600 days incarcerated by June 1.

Moments after the announcement, Trump posted on social media "FREE TINA!" as the commutation drew immediate condemnation across Colorado politics.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold condemned the commutation, warning it was "a gross injustice to our elections, election workers and democracy with far-reaching consequences," and Democracy Docket quoted her as saying "This is a dark day for democracy."

Denver7 reported Polis told anchor Jessica Porter, "I never considered pardoning her, to be clear," and said the appeals court found her unpopular opinions should not be a factor in sentencing.

BBC

The BBC said Polis faced criticism from fellow Democrats after commuting Peters’ sentence, and it quoted Polis defending his decision as one where her "sentence is simply disproportionate for a first time, non-violent offender."

The BBC also reported that Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser called the move "truly mind-boggling," while Democratic Senator John Hickenlooper wrote on X that reducing her sentence "sends the wrong message to those seeking to undermine trust in our elections."

Polis’ commutation does not wipe away Peters’ conviction, and the BBC reported Polis wrote, "To be clear, I am not pardoning Tina Peters, and I have never considered a pardon."

“Democratic Colorado Gov”

CBS News

NPR reported the appeals court upheld Peters’ conviction but ordered resentencing because the trial judge improperly factored in protected speech, and NPR quoted Polis saying, "Even though of course I disagree with her speech just as the judge incorrectly stated that he did."

The BBC reported Peters expressed remorse in a statement shared through her lawyer, saying, "I made mistakes, and for those I am sorry," and said she would follow the law going forward.

Democracy Docket said Polis’ decision left intact Peters’ felony conviction while significantly shortening consequences, and it quoted David Becker saying, "Ms. Peters continues to express no remorse about her crimes."

With parole set for June 1, the BBC reported Trump’s post "FREE TINA!" followed the announcement as Colorado officials warned the decision could embolden efforts to undermine confidence in future elections.