1. United States
2. Colo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep outrage and disappointment regarding Governor Jared Polis’ decision to commute the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. This was not a symbolic or victimless offense. Peters was convicted by a jury for actions that compromised election security and fueled dangerous conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 election. The Colorado Court of Appeals upheld her conviction. Yet before the judicial process could fully conclude, Governor Polis intervened on behalf of one of the most visible election deniers in the country. That decision sends an appalling message to the public: that officials who abuse public trust in service of election conspiracy theories may ultimately receive political protection instead of full accountability. Colorado should be leading the country in defending democratic institutions and safeguarding election integrity. Instead, this commutation risks legitimizing the very culture of disinformation and institutional distrust that continues to threaten public faith in democracy. Tina Peters has shown no meaningful remorse for the damage her conduct caused. Her actions helped amplify false narratives that have endangered election workers, weakened trust in verified outcomes, and normalized contempt for democratic processes themselves. I urge you to publicly condemn this decision and reaffirm that Colorado lawmakers will not tolerate attempts to undermine election integrity for political purposes. Silence in moments like this only deepens public cynicism and emboldens those who seek to erode confidence in democratic institutions. This is bigger than one individual case. It is about whether public officials entrusted with administering elections are held accountable when they betray that responsibility. Colorado voters are paying attention. Many of us will remember which leaders chose to defend democratic norms clearly and publicly — and which did not.