Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis commuted the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters on Friday, shortening her nearly nine-year prison sentence related to the 2020 election.

Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison in 2024 but an appeals court ruled last month that she needs to be resentenced after part of the sentence punished Peters for her protected speech regarding fraud claims in the 2020 election.

Polis denied that the commutation was an attempt to appease President Donald Trump, instead highlighting that Peters was a first-time nonviolent offender who was given an "unusually harsh sentence." 

“She committed a crime; she deserves to be a convicted felon,” Polis told the New York Times, claiming her views on the 2020 election shouldn't have impacted her sentence. “I think it’s an important message we send out, that supports free speech in our country." 

The 70-year-old Peters was found guilty of three counts of attempting to influence a public servant and one count each of conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation, first-degree official misconduct, violation of duty, and failure to comply with the requirements of the secretary of state.

Polis also commuted the sentences of eight other state residents and pardoned 35 people.

Peters will be released on parole effective June 1.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.