Colorado Governor Faces Party Censure After Sentence Reduction

Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis faces new criticism after a photo from an internal party call was shared on X. The governor recently reduced the sentence of former Republican Mesa County election clerk Tina Peters. Her original nine-year prison term stemmed from a 2021 security breach involving election voting machines.

The Colorado Democratic Party censured Polis on May 20.

The party also barred him, until further action, from participating as an honored guest, speaker, or representative. A screenshot posted on X by the Colorado Sun’s Jesse Aaron Paul showed Polis on a private internal party call with duct tape over his mouth and black headphones on.

Gov. Jared Polis, fresh off being censured by the Colorado Democratic Party for letting Tina Peters out of prison early, showed up today to a private, internal party call like this #copolitics. A user replied to the post suggesting Polis remain silent.

Her updated sentence was supported by allies of President Donald Trump. Colorado Rep. Lauren Bobert said in a May 15 X post that the outcome could not have been possible without continued pressure and advocacy from President Donald Trump. Peters had also been convicted of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, official misconduct, violation of duty, and failure to comply with the Secretary of State requirements.

“I think it’s an important message we send out, that supports free speech in our country,” Polis said regarding the commutation.