Colorado Democratic Party Censures Governor Jared Polis

The Colorado Democratic Party’s central committee voted 89.8% in favor of censuring Governor Jared Polis. This decision temporarily prevents him from speaking or participating in party events. The move stems from a petition by hundreds of Democrats regarding his decision to commute the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk, Tina Peters.

Peters faced a nearly nine-year sentence for tampering with election equipment to support unsubstantiated fraud claims. Polis reduced her sentence by half, allowing the possibility of parole as early as June 1.

Governor Polis’s Perspective

Polis argues that his decision was based on a fair evaluation of the facts. He compared Peters’ sentence to other corruption cases with less severe penalties.

“In nearly every case we saw probation, we saw six months,” he stated.

Polis contended that Peters’ sentence involved considerations of her speech, which shouldn’t have been a factor in sentencing.

Opposition Viewpoint

Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubenstein disagrees, citing a pattern of deception over months by Peters. He noted she could have received a 20-year sentence and mentioned that Polis’s own clemency board advised against commutation.

“That’s not humility, that’s arrogance,” Rubenstein stated, criticizing Polis’s decision to override expert advice.

Colorado Democratic Party’s Statement

The party’s statement emphasized the belief that reducing Peters’ sentence undermines trust in democratic institutions. They expressed concern that it sets a dangerous precedent and mentioned ongoing efforts to maintain election integrity.

“The clemency decision does not reflect the values, institutional positions, or democratic commitments of the Colorado Democratic Party,” the statement read.

The party reaffirmed its dedication to supporting election workers and upholding free and fair elections. They highlighted the efforts of Democrats who voiced their commitment to democracy following Polis’s decision.

Until further notice, Polis is prohibited from participating in events like the Obama Gala and DemFest as a representative of the Colorado Democratic Party.