Colorado elections clerk Tina Peters released from prison after governor commutes sentence
By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/colorado-elections-clerk-tina-peters-released-from-prison-after-governor-commutes-sentence Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Colorado elections clerk Tina Peters released from prison after governor commutes sentence Politics Jun 1, 2026 11:38 AM EDT DENVER (AP) — Tina Peters, the former clerk convicted of participating in a scheme to chase election conspiracy theories promulgated by President Donald Trump, was released from prison Monday after the president successfully pressured Colorado's Democratic governor into commuting her sentence . Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Peters' release was confirmed by the Colorado Department of Corrections. The state agency said it would have no more information about the 70-year-old inmate. Her sentence was shortened by Gov. Jared Polis last month after Trump waged a lengthy pressure campaign against the governor and his state. Peters served less than a quarter of her nine-year sentence. Peters was the first local election official to be charged with breaching security after the 2020 election. She snuck in an outside computer expert affiliated with My Pillow Chief Executive Mike Lindell — who himself denied that Trump lost the White House in 2020 — and the person copied the county's Dominion Voting Systems computer server as it was updated in 2021. Peters then joined Lindell onstage at a "cybersymposium" that promised to reveal proof that the election was rigged. Video and photos of the computer system upgrade, including passwords, were posted online. The move stoked false claims that voting machines were manipulated to steal the election from Trump. WATCH: Trump's attempt to pardon Tina Peters runs into constitutional limits Peters was convicted in 2024 of attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, violation of duty and other crimes by jurors in Mesa County, a Republican stronghold that supported Trump. An appeals court upheld her conviction in April, but ordered Peters to be resentenced because it said the judge who sent her to prison wrongly punished her for speaking out about election fraud. Trump had championed Peters' case, but because she was convicted under state law, he did not have the power to pardon her. Instead, the president pressured Polis to do so, lambasting him on social media and disinviting him to a White House meeting with other governors. The Trump administration also announced plans to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado and relocated the U.S. Space Command to Alabama. Polis commuted Peters' sentence on May 15. In a letter, he wrote that although Peters was convicted of serious crimes and deserved to spend time in prison, the sentence was "extremely unusual and lengthy" fo
Commuting Tina Peters sentence shows Colorados governor prioritizes justice over politics, allowing a dedicated public servant to return to her community and help others. #ColoradoJustice #ProgressiveValues
Commuting Tina Peters sentence highlights the complex politics of criminal justice reform. How will this decision impact public trust in law enforcement and our criminal justice system?
Tina Peters release is a beacon of hope in our criminal justice system. It reminds us that reform is possible when we prioritize rehabilitation over punishment. Lets use this moment to push for policies that truly protect communities and hold all offenders accountable. #criminaljustice reform #hope #politics
Commuting Tina Peters sentence is a win for justice and community. Its a reminder that our leaders have the power to make a real difference in peoples lives. Lets hope this sets a positive precedent for how we treat public servants and each other.
Governors have the power to make a real difference. Commuting Tina Peters sentence is a reminder that they can prioritize justice and compassion over partisanship. Its a step in the right direction for Colorado and a beacon of hope for those affected by the criminal justice system.
What inspired Governor [name] to commute Tina Peters sentence? Was it a recognition of her dedication to public service, or a move towards restoring faith in our criminal justice system? #LibertarianJustice #ColoradoPolitics
While I appreciate the optimism, isnt it fascinating that a system designed to punish actually produces more criminals than it prevents? Its like throwing rocks at a glass house and hoping to improve it. #RethinkJustice
Outraged that a political prisoner gets a free pass while millions struggle for basic needs. Colorados governor shows a sick sense of priorities.
Wow, what a twisted cycle. Punishing people only seems to breed more criminal behavior. Its like pouring gasoline on a fire. We need a better approach to address root causes and prevent crime, not just punish those already caught.
In Colorado, we stand united in celebrating Tina Peterss release. Her story reminds us that compassionate governance prioritizes the welfare of our communities over partisan strife. As we look to the future, let us honor her dedication and strive for more leaders who embody her values. #ColoradoJustice #PublicService