Common Cause led a group of 18 voting and civil rights organizations in sending a letter to Colorado Governor Polis, urging him to decline clemency for Tina Peters. The letter comes on the heels of the fifth anniversary of the Jan. 6 attack, and Governor Polis publicly considering giving clemency to Peters under ongoing pressure from President Donald Trump.  

“Actions have consequences, and Tina Peters is facing just consequences for the serious crimes she committed,” said Aly Belknap, Colorado Common Cause Executive Director. “It’s alarming to hear Governor Polis say Peters isn’t a threat to society after she was responsible for one of the most serious election security breaches in the nation. Common Cause and our 24,813 members are calling on Governor Polis to stand up to President Trump and hold Tina Peters accountable for her crimes.” 

Through executive order in 2025, President Trump pardoned around 1,500 people for their role in the deadly Jan 6. attack meant to change the results of the 2020 election he lost. By undoing the accountability and justice measures, Trump rewarded loyalists and seeks to do the same in the case of Peters.  

President Trump cannot pardon Peters; presidents can only issue pardons for federal crimes. Peters was charged and convicted for leading an election security break in Colorado in 2021. A Republican district attorney prosecuted the case.  

Peters allowed unauthorized access to Mesa County’s election systems, disabled security cameras in the process, and refused to comply with subpoenas and directives from the Colorado Secretary of State.

To read the letter, click here.