# CO Governor Jared Polis reportedly considering clemency for Tina Peters **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [January 10, 2026, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541 "2026-01-10T19:10:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/41 "2026-05-15T23:22:25Z")
> “We always look at people’s sentences and when you have people that are elderly, and we’re looking at this across a number of people — people that are in their 70s and 80s in our system — how much of a threat to society are they? And we balance that in a way that makes sure that they can spend their last few years at home,” he told CPR News. Bernie Madoff was 82 when he died in prison. I’m sure Polis would have commuted his sentence also. What a spineless worm and an embarrassment he is. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2026, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/42 "2026-05-15T23:47:24Z")
I am disappointed. One question that is important to me though, is some sources say that Peters formally acknowledged her wrongdoing, and some say she’s unrepentant. In the first case, I could see clemency, as long as there was significant and public declaration of guilt and misuse of authority. If she’s unrepentant, then no - sure, there’s the possibility of realpolitik with regards to Trump’s ongoing Blue State Blackmail and hostagetaking. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 12:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/43 "2026-05-16T00:02:01Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Bernie Madoff was 82 when he died in prison. I’m sure Polis would have commuted his sentence also. Non-violent first offender. I hope so. I don’t see how to make a link, but adding up numbers Polis is posting today on Facebook, he has issued 4,255 pardons and commutations. Good. Peters’ sentence was overturned earlier this month by the Colorado Court of Appeals. Her commutation should have been an easier decision than this one (which I also support): > [@](#): > > One in particular I’d like to highlight is Branden Kreuzer, who I granted clemency to today. Mr. Kreuzer committed a series of crimes when he was 19, culminating in an armed robbery of a gas station, a chase with police, and an assault on a peace officer. These were very serious crimes. Unlike his co-defendant who is six months younger, Mr. Kreuzer was not offered any sort of deal or Youthful Offender System (YOS) sentence. Kreuzer’s co-defendent’s sentence was seven years in YOS; Kreuzer received a sentence of 50 years in DOC. Since entering DOC, Kreuzer has demonstrated remorse and been a model for rehabilitation, establishing a program called Redemption Road CrossFit that operates in multiple DOC facilities, and he’s been a mentor and role model for countless offenders. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/44 "2026-05-16T00:06:37Z")
Q&A w/Polis on the matter … > **[Q&A: Gov. Polis explains decision to commute Tina Peters' sentence](https://www.gjsentinel.com/breaking/q-a-gov-polis-explains-decision-to-commute-tina-peters-sentence/article_528f92e2-e898-4fca-9933-0d138446343e.html)** > > Colorado Gov. Jared Polis was interviewed by The Daily Sentinel on Friday, shortly after he announced his decision to commute the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/45 "2026-05-16T00:09:05Z")
Meh. As the article said- _Amid mounting pressure from President Trump, Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commuted the sentence of Tina Peters on Friday._ trump is quite capable of trying to cut off all federal monies to his state. trump just cut off- likely illegally- Medicare funds to California. and > Peters, who was convicted of several felonies, has been serving a nine-year prison sentence for her 2020 election-related crimes. Peters will now be eligible for parole on June 1 of this year. > > “She committed a crime. It did not interfere with any election, did not have to do with ballot counting, but it was illegal access to the computer room,” Polis said in an [interview](https://www.cpr.org/2026/05/15/tina-peters-sentence-shortened-jared-polis/) with Colorado Public Radio on Friday. “She thought she was trying to back up the software before it was updated. She did it illegally. There’s no question about it. And she deserves to go to prison. And I think this is a more appropriate, even harsh, frankly, sentence for that crime.” So she stays in Prison. For now, anyway. > [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Peters’ sentence was overturned earlier this month by the Colorado Court of Appeals. Her commutation should have been an easier decision than this one (which I also support): Yep. > [@DavidNRockies](#): > > Q&A w/Polis on the matter … Good cite. > **Polis:** “I think people on both sides of the aisle are outraged by her illegal actions, and I agree. She deserves to remain a convicted felon with a sentence appropriate for her crimes as a first-time non-violent offender. There’s people on our commutation lists who have committed murders, and here, you have somebody who committed a non-violent crime but a very specific crime that involved criminal co-conspirators, and she deserves an appropriate punishment for that." > "I strongly believe that four and a half years is a tough but fair punishment, and that’s to make sure we don’t consider that she also has crazy beliefs that she talks about. That should not be part of your sentence. You’re completely free in this country to espouse your opinions, however different or wacky they are to other people, but you should be held accountable to the law itself.” > > **Q: There’s the federal audit of state Medicaid, the frozen Shoshone Water Rights grant, the vetoed bill that would finish the Arkansas Valley conduit, the relocation of U.S. Space Command, etc. How much of this decision was the result of federal pressure from President Donald Trump, who had promised “harsh measures” against Colorado if Peters remained incarcerated?** ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/46 "2026-05-16T01:50:37Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > In the first case, I could see clemency, as long as there was significant and public declaration of guilt and misuse of authority. Here’s what she said [per NPR:](https://www.npr.org/2026/05/15/nx-s1-5690286/tina-peters-polis-commutation-trump) > [@](#): > > “I made mistakes, and for those I am sorry. Five years ago I misled the Secretary of State when allowing a person to gain access to county voting equipment. That was wrong. I have learned and grown during my time in prison and going forward I will make sure that my actions always follow the law, and I will avoid the mistakes of the past.” So she admits to making mistakes, and implies she broke the law. But my reading is that she avoids clearly admitting to have broken the law. Does that matter? Not to me. She has a right to free speech, including the right to say that she was forced to apologize on pain of spending more time in prison. > [@ParallelLines](#): > > there’s the possibility of realpolitik with regards to Trump’s ongoing Blue State Blackmail and hostagetaking. Sure. Polis is appeasing Trump. Saying that you never appease is like saying you don’t negotiate with terrorists, You do negotiate, and you do appease if is in your interest. Polis’s job is to advance Colorado’s interests. Suppose Polis didn’t commute the sentence. Then it would have been done by a Colorado judge, since the appeals court recently rejected the original draconian sentence. Might Peters have had to serve a bit more time if left to a judge? Maybe, or maybe not. And Colorado would have remained subject to Trump’s vindictive dictatorial wims. ---
**Author:** ![Odesio](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/odesio/32/20003_2.png) [@Odesio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Odesio)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/47 "2026-05-16T02:44:44Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Suppose Polis didn’t commute the sentence. Then it would have been done by a Colorado judge, since the appeals court recently rejected the original draconian sentence. Might Peters have had to serve a bit more time if left to a judge? Maybe, or maybe not. And Colorado would have remained subject to Trump’s vindictive dictatorial wims. Yes, if we’ve learned nothing about Trump over the last decade we know how well he rewards those who are loyal to him. I’m sure Colorado has nothing to worry about. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 9:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/48 "2026-05-16T09:20:37Z")
> [@PhillyGuy](#): > > Saying that you never appease is like saying you don’t negotiate with terrorists, You do negotiate, and you do appease if is in your interest. Normally I’d say if you do negotiate and appease terrorists you’re (general you not specifically you) are an idiot. Unfortunately, in this case I agree with appeasing Trump if there’s a good chance he doesn’t hit them anyway. ---
**Author:** ![PhillyGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@PhillyGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhillyGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/49 "2026-05-16T11:50:47Z")
> [@Odesio](#): > > Yes, if we’ve learned nothing about Trump over the last decade we know how well he rewards those who are loyal to him. I’m sure Colorado has nothing to worry about. When there is a strongman federal president who rules by decree, subordinate units of that country, such as states, always have something to worry about. It’s just that there is more to worry about when you stand up to the caudillo off for no benefit to your state. What if Trump ordered Polis to lock up the innocent? Should he do that? No, but letting someone out of prison who your own state supreme court ruled was sentenced for too long is hardly in that category. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 12:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/50 "2026-05-16T12:28:32Z")
Why do people make such a deal about crimes being “nonviolent”? Her crime was a lot more harmful than most “violent” crimes. She was trying to kill democracy. That hurts everyone. ---
**Author:** ![griffin1977](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/977dab/32.png) [@griffin1977](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/griffin1977)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/51 "2026-05-16T13:47:06Z")
WTAF! Why would he do this? This makes no sense on any level. Either morally or as a purely political move. I hope the democratic establishment made clear this would mean a primary challenge next election. That’s more hope than expectation given the current establishment 😔 ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/52 "2026-05-16T15:47:04Z")
I’m fairly certain he is term limited. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/53 "2026-05-16T17:55:45Z")
> **[Not a single Democrat in the Colorado legislature says Jared Polis should...](https://coloradosun.com/2026/03/04/tina-peters-jared-polis-sentence-democrats-legislature/)** > > The Colorado Sun asked every Democrat in the legislature Wednesday whether Polis should offer Peters clemency after the governor all but said on social media Tuesday that he plans to do so > The Colorado Sun on Wednesday asked each of the 66 Democrats in the General Assembly whether they think Polis should commute Peters’ sentence after the governor offered justification [on social media Tuesday](https://x.com/jaredpolis/status/2029006909085532517?s=20) should he do just that. None said “yes,” and many used expletives in emphatically saying “no.” Not a single democrat in the Colorado state house and state senate approved of this. Not a single one. There are 43 democrats in the CO state house and 23 democrats in the state senate. I have no idea what Polis felt this would accomplish. If he wants to run for president in 2028, he will not win the primary. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/54 "2026-05-16T19:16:52Z")
He should have just knocked a year off her sentance. She will be working for Trump in short order. Just like Bondi. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/55 "2026-05-16T19:20:22Z")
The whole ‘pardon criminals’ thing needs completely re-vamped. It does not work. Well unless you want criminals working for you. Then it works great. ---
**Author:** ![crowmanyclouds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crowmanyclouds/32/19884_2.png) [@crowmanyclouds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crowmanyclouds)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/56 "2026-05-16T19:27:05Z")
At least we can look forward to Polis’ reaction to learning from Trump that Polis’ commutation of Peters is in total agreement with the fact that the case against Peters’ was a fake, phony, witch hunt. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/57 "2026-05-16T19:28:49Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > The whole ‘pardon criminals’ thing needs completely re-vamped. I wonder what the original goal was. I assume it was for the balance of powers. The executive having the ability to pardon people imprisoned by the judicial branch. Things like that. Looking into it, the legislature doesn’t have the ability to override the executive when it comes to pardoning criminals though (at least not in Colorado). I’m surprised the legislature can’t override the executive, if the goal was balance of powers. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/58 "2026-05-16T19:44:45Z")
> [@griffin1977](#): > > WTAF! Why would he do this? This makes no sense on any level. If you read his reasoning, it makes perfect sense. Not to mention, trump could withhold billions of Federal dollars, hurting many state programs. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/59 "2026-05-16T19:48:09Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > trump could withhold billions of Federal dollars, hurting many state programs. The Air Force academy is in Colorado. It’s not good for Trump to get petty. Also, it’s useful to note that the sentence was _commuted_; she wasn’t _pardoned_ It’s still a conviction. She remains a felon. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [May 16, 2026, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541/60 "2026-05-16T19:50:40Z")
> [@Moriarty](#): > > Also, it’s useful to note that the sentence was _commuted_; she wasn’t _pardoned_ > > It’s still a conviction. She remains a felon. Right, and has and will serve time. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-governor-jared-polis-reportedly-considering-clemency-for-tina-peters/1026541.md?page=4)