President Donald Trump had a blunt message for Colorado Governor Jared Polis during a phone call last fall: Free Tina Peters. Trump had publicly demanded freedom for Peters, a former Mesa County clerk jailed for her role in a plot to breach voting system security.
Peters was convicted in 2024 on charges including attempting to influence a public servant and criminal impersonation, after she allowed an unauthorized person to access voting equipment. She was sentenced to nine years in prison.
Despite Trump's request, Polis did not grant clemency or release Peters. The governor's office stated that Polis follows the law and does not interfere with judicial decisions.
Peters remains incarcerated as of May 2026, serving her sentence at the Denver Women's Correctional Facility. Her case has become a rallying point for election denial advocates.
