Clerk López Issues Statement on Tina Peters Clemency Decision

Clerk López Issues Statement on Tina Peters Clemency Decision

Published on May 15, 2026

Denver Clerk & Recorder Paul López issued the following statement after Colorado Governor Jared Polis granted clemency to former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters, making her eligible for parole on June 1, 2026. Tina Peters was convicted of felony charges for unauthorized access to elections machines in the 2020 presidential election.

"Our elections are already under assault by the Trump administration and Americans deserve protectors of our democracy, not accomplices in its demise. I am disgusted by the lack of spine that Governor Polis has exhibited with this act and with his willingness to fall in line with a calculated undermining of free and fair elections.

His decision emboldens those who wish to damage our democratic process by sending the message that they can get away with it. It undermines people's confidence in elections and the justice system, just as we are headed into a highly contested November midterm election."

• Clerk and Recorder
• Elections