Tina Peters has been released from prison in Colorado after serving time for voting machine tampering
Tina Peters has been released from the southern Colorado prison she was in, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections. The former Mesa County Clerk who was found guilty of allowing unauthorized access to voting machines after the 2020 presidential election was never seen leaving prison but will be paroled to Grand Junction.
The CDOC released a statement early Monday saying: "The Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) can confirm that Tina Peters was processed for release from CDOT custody today, June 1, 2026. The CDOC will not provide additional details regarding residential placement, reporting schedules, or travel logistics."
In 2024, Peters, a Republican, was convicted on charges of attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation and a misdemeanor for violation of duty in elections.
Last month, Democratic Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence after pressure from President Trump. The decision was condemned by numerous other Democrats in the state and the Colorado Democratic Party voted to censure Polis as a result.
"Clearly, her free speech -- however much we disagree with it -- was used as a factor in that sentencing," Polis said.
While Peters has been fairly outspoken throughout her case, her attorney Peter Ticktin said he didn't expect her to make any sort of statement upon her release from the La Vista Correctional Facility in Pueblo. He said there would be safety concerns if such a thing were to happen. Ticktin shared the following statement later on Monday:
Tina wants everyone to know that it is easy to lose one's freedom, but it is difficult to endure. She is grateful to all of her friends, reporters, attorneys, and loved ones for being so true through the period. Also, she is grateful to President Trump for never giving up on her, never quitting, and for fighting for her. Without his efforts, she would still be behind bars.
There is still a major concern for her safety, and she needs time to heal and get her health back.
The new warden made Tina's release work like clockwork. He took no chances and had her moved before the press showed up. She would have let the press know, but couldn't, and she is grateful to the warden.
Meanwhile, she will be making personal decisions as to many factors in the coming weeks.
A small group of Peters' supporters were gathered outside the prison on Monday. One supporter said it "would have been nice to see her" but they said they understand the concerns over safety.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold says Peters "compromised her county's voting equipment trying to prove conspiracies" and says Polis' decision to grant Peters clemency sends a "dangerous message about accountability for those who would attack elections."
"Peters' release ... will embolden the election denial movement; since the grant of clemency, she has continued to spread election falsehoods and conspiracies," she said in a statement on Monday.
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser responded to Peters' release saying she remains a convicted felon and that he "will continue to fight Tina Peters' efforts to overturn her conviction in the courts. The safety of our elections and the rule of law require it."
