Colorado Governor Jared Polis on Friday announced a commutation that will free Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk convicted of tampering with voting equipment, making her eligible for release next month. Peters had been serving roughly a nine-year sentence for her actions following the 2020 election.
The decision cuts her prison time in half and comes after sustained pressure from the Trump administration for her release. President Trump, who lacks authority over state-level cases, previously issued a pardon for Peters last year. Shortly after Polis' announcement, Trump posted "FREE TINA!" on Truth Social.
Peters is now expected to walk free on June 1. She became a prominent figure in election denial circles after her conviction for tampering with county voting and records equipment.
The commutation triggered swift and forceful pushback from top Colorado Democrats. Attorney General Phil Weiser called the decision "mind-boggling and wrong as a matter of basic justice," accusing the governor of "caving" to Trump. Secretary of State Jena Griswold issued an even sharper statement, warning that Polis' actions "will validate and embolden the election denial movement, and leave a dark, dangerous imprint on American democracy for years to come."
Polis defended the move in a statement, saying clemency "has the ability to change lives" and that his decision came after careful review. He noted that his Friday clemency round included 44 recipients overall, with 35 pardons and nine commutations granted.
Author James Rodriguez: "Polis just handed Trump a symbolic win and handed election deniers a martyr, all wrapped in the language of mercy."
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