Governor Jared Polis just used one of the most powerful tools a governor has — the power to commute a criminal sentence — as a political bargaining chip.

On May 15, 2026, Polis commuted the sentence of Tina Peters, a former Colorado county clerk convicted of four felonies for tampering with election equipment. Peters didn't receive this clemency because justice demanded it.

• The sentencing judge said: "You are no hero. You're a charlatan who used your position to peddle a snake oil that's been proven to be junk time and time again."

• The Republican district attorney who prosecuted her called the commutation "disturbing and, frankly, irresponsible".

• Attorney General Phil Weiser said: "Today is a sad day for Colorado and the rule of law."

• Secretary of State Jena Griswold said the commutation will "validate and embolden the election denial movement, and leave a dark, dangerous imprint on American democracy for years to come."

• Not a single Democrat in the Colorado legislature said Polis should reduce Peters' sentence.

Before the commutation, Trump had cut hundreds of millions in federal funding for Colorado — disaster relief, child care, food assistance — while publicly demanding Peters' release and calling Polis a "scumbag." Four days after the commutation, Polis said: "I think this will be remembered fondly."

This is not justice. This is a governor using the freedom of a convicted criminal as a political transaction. It was corruption that we should not let slide by.

• CNN: "Colorado Gov. Jared Polis justified his decision to release election denier Tina Peters from prison with a series of false and misleading claims". "Polis falsely claimed three times in the CNN interview that Peters, as county clerk, “certified” Biden’s victory in the 2020 election." - May 18, 2026
• American Prospect: "It is hard to escape the conclusion that Polis was trying to ingratiate himself with Trump in the hope of getting some Colorado funding restored". - May 19, 2026

The Colorado legislature went home two days before this happened, and won't be back till January 2027. But our constitution gives legislators the power to come back without asking the governor's permission. Under Article V, Section 7, two-thirds of each chamber can call themselves back to a special session.

We are asking every Colorado legislator to return from vacation and do their job: investigate Governor Polis and vote on impeachment.

No governor — Democrat or Republican — should be allowed to use the freedom of a convicted criminal as a political transaction. The legislature must act.

Sign this petition. Then call your legislator directly at impeachpolis.org/make-the-call/