Dem Governor Commutes Tina Peters’ Sentence After Trump Pressure

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis on Friday commuted the prison sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, dramatically reducing her punishment after months of public pressure from President Donald Trump and election integrity supporters.

Peters, who became a nationally known figure in election fraud debates following the 2020 election, had been serving a nine-year prison sentence tied to unauthorized access to election equipment in Colorado.

Under Polis’ commutation order, Peters is now scheduled for release on June 1.

In a written statement explaining the decision, Polis emphasized he was not excusing Peters’ actions.

“Peters was convicted of serious crimes and deserved prison time,” Polis wrote.

“However, this is an extremely unusual and lengthy sentence for a first-time offender who committed nonviolent crimes,” he added.

The decision follows an April ruling by a Colorado appeals court that ordered Peters to be resentenced after finding the trial judge improperly considered her speech about election fraud during sentencing proceedings.

While the appeals court upheld Peters’ underlying convictions, it ruled there were problems with how the sentence itself had been imposed.

President Trump quickly celebrated the development on Truth Social.

“FREE TINA!” Trump posted shortly after the commutation announcement.

Peters rose to national prominence after prosecutors accused her of allowing an outside computer expert connected to Mike Lindell to access Mesa County election systems during a 2021 Dominion Voting Systems software update.

Authorities alleged that sensitive election system images and passwords were later publicly distributed after Peters appeared at Lindell’s widely publicized “cybersymposium,” where claims involving election fraud were discussed.

Because Peters’ convictions involved state crimes rather than federal charges, President Trump did not possess the authority to directly pardon her.

Nevertheless, Trump repeatedly pushed publicly for her release and sharply criticized Colorado officials involved in the prosecution.

At various points, Trump reportedly referred to Polis as a “Scumbag Governor” and attacked Mesa County District Attorney Daniel Rubinstein for pursuing the case.

Reports also indicated Trump at one point excluded Polis from a White House governors meeting because of the controversy surrounding Peters’ imprisonment.

Trump and his allies repeatedly portrayed Peters as an elderly and physically vulnerable political target.

Peters had been incarcerated in Pueblo, where her attorneys claimed her health significantly deteriorated.

According to court filings, Peters previously underwent partial removal of her right lung and later experienced worsening respiratory problems while in prison.

Her legal team also cited chronic pain linked to fibromyalgia and difficulties sleeping due to prison conditions.

Earlier this year, Peters was reportedly involved in a physical altercation with another inmate.

Colorado prison officials later cleared her of assault allegations, though she was disciplined for being present in an unauthorized area.

The commutation immediately sparked outrage from Colorado Democrats and election officials.

Jena Griswold condemned the decision in strongly worded remarks.

“It was a dark day for democracy,” Griswold said.

“Selling out our state’s justice system for Trump is an affront to the rule of law,” she added.

“A clear message is being sent to those willing to break the law and attack democracy for the president — they will likely not face consequences for their actions.”

Polis had publicly hinted for months that clemency remained under consideration.

Earlier this year, he described Peters’ sentence as “unusual and harsh” for a nonviolent first-time offender.

“Justice in Colorado and America needs to be applied evenly,” Polis previously wrote on social media.

Initially, however, Polis indicated Peters would likely need to show remorse before clemency could be seriously considered.

The final decision carries major political implications because Polis — despite being a Democrat — has occasionally broken with his party on high-profile issues.

Although Polis has criticized President Trump on immigration and trade policy, he has also publicly praised aspects of the administration’s government reform initiatives and portions of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s health agenda.

For election integrity activists, the Peters case became a major symbol of what they viewed as politically motivated prosecution targeting critics of election systems.

Critics of Peters, meanwhile, argued the prosecution represented necessary accountability for improper access to sensitive election infrastructure.