Colorado Gov Jared Polis suggests possible clemency for ex-Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters

Colorado Democrat Gov. Jared Polis has suggested possible clemency for former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, who is serving a nearly nine-year prison sentence related to the 2020 election.

Polis made the suggestion Tuesday, after former Democrat state Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis was sentenced last week to two years of probation and community service after being convicted in January of four felony charges, including attempt to influence a public official, according to The Hill newspaper.

"She made a horrible mistake, and she was wrong," Polis posted on X. "I was glad to hear she isn’t going to prison which is a hard place for anyone, no less a retired 68-year old pharmacist. 

"But it is not lost on me that she was convicted of the exact same felony charge as Tina Peters – attempting to influence a public official – and yet Tina Peters, as a non-violent, first-time offender got a nine-year sentence. 

"Justice in Colorado and America needs to be applied evenly, you never know when you might need to depend on the rule of law.

Polis said he would use that context as he considers such cases sentencing disparities and that he has extended the deadline for clemency applications until April 3. 

The 70-year-old Peters was found guilty of four felonies for her handling of election equipment during the 2020 election, and sentenced in October 2024 to 8.5 years in state prison. 

Peters’ attorney, Peter Ticktin, told “PBS News Hour” on Wednesday regarding the governor’s post that he hoped his client would be released this week.

"I was anticipating this, as I know that he feels strongly that Tina's sentence was excessively harsh. Now that he sees the dichotomy between Tina's sentence and that of Sonya Jaquez Lewis, who got off felonies with probation," Ticktin said. 

Polis previously indicated that he was considering granting clemency to Peters, whose sentence he previously described as “harsh.”

Peters had asked a Colorado appeals court in December to recognize President Trump’s attempt to pardon her. The pardon was ineffective because it is only applicable to federal charges, and she was convicted on state charges.

Peters was accused of using a person's security badge to provide access to the Mesa County election system to another person affiliated with Trump ally and MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.