Attorney General Phil Weiser statement on the Colorado Court of Appeals upholding Tina Peters conviction for election tampering

April 2, 2026 (DENVER) – Attorney General Phil Weiser released the following statement regarding today’s decision from the Colorado Court of Appeals in The People of the State of Colorado v. Tina Peters:

“The original sentence that the court imposed on Tina Peters for illegally tampering with election equipment was fair and appropriate. The Court of Appeals raised concerns about the length of the sentence and asked a district court judge to reevaluate the sentence. Ms. Peters is in prison because of her own criminal conduct to prove false claims of voter fraud in the 2020 elections, and she has not shown any remorse for her actions.

“Whatever happens with her sentence, Tina Peters will always be a convicted felon who violated her duty as Mesa County clerk, put other lives at risk, and threatened our democracy. Nothing will remove that stain.

“Moreover, the court affirmed that the president’s pardon of Tina Peters is meaningless and won’t free her from prison. Presidential pardons do not extend to state crimes, and the president cannot wipe away Ms. Peters’ conviction with a stroke of a pen.”

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Media Contact:
Lawrence Pacheco
Chief Communications Officer
(720) 508-6553 office
lawrence.pacheco@coag.gov