Why Gov. Polis Might Block Tina Peters’ Federal Prison Transfer — What’s at Stake

Colorado election officials and bipartisan prosecutors are urging Gov. Jared Polis to keep former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters in state custody, warning that a proposed transfer to federal prison could weaken public trust in the justice system and embolden election-denial movements. Peters, a high-profile figure among 2020 election conspiracy theorists, is serving a nine-year state sentence for allowing an unauthorized consultant to copy a Dominion Voting Systems hard drive in 2021. A November 12 letter from the Federal Bureau of Prisons asked Colorado’s Department of Corrections to relinquish custody, a move Peters’ attorneys argue would improve her safety and medical care. Key state voices push back • Attorney General Phil Weiser (D) and Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubinstein (R) co-signed a letter calling the request “an attempt to bypass our judicial system” and predicting it would let “a politically connected inmate” gain easier conditions. • Secretary of State Jena Griswold said transferring Peters would “supercharge” false claims of widespread voter fraud and endanger local clerks already facing threats. • The Colorado County Clerks Association asked for an in-person meeting with Polis, saying removal “would send a damaging message to the clerks who upheld their oath under extraordinarily difficult circumstances.” Why federal custody matters Under state control, only Polis can grant clemency; in the federal system, President Donald Trump—who has publicly supported Peters—could potentially pressure for early release despite lacking direct pardon power over state convictions. Critics say that possibility is precisely why far-right allies want the transfer approved. Legal backdrop • October 2024: A jury convicted Peters of attempting to influence a public servant, conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation and other felonies. • March 2025: The U.S. Justice Department opened an unusual review of her sentence, calling nine years “exceptionally lengthy.” • July 2025: Peters’ lawyers filed a federal habeas petition seeking bond during her appeal. • November 2025: Federal Bureau of Prisons formally requested transfer; Colorado DOC confirms no decision made. Political stakes for Polis Polis, who prides himself on bipartisan credibility, faces pressure from both directions. Election-integrity advocates want Peters to remain in state prison to reinforce accountability; conservative activists frame her as a whistleblower punished for exposing alleged machine vulnerabilities. Approving the transfer could alienate moderate voters and Colorado clerks, while denying it may intensify national attacks from Trump loyalists during the 2026 midterm cycle. Health concerns vs. public risk Peters cites recurring lung cancer and fibromyalgia in claiming state facilities cannot meet her medical needs. Yet prosecutors argue Colorado can provide treatment and note she has not exhausted internal DOC remedies. They also contend that a lower-security federal camp would give her more media access, enabling renewed fundraising and misinformation campaigns that already sparked threats against election workers. Next steps The multi-agency review typically takes weeks; Polis can accept, reject or impose conditions on any interstate transfer. Observers expect a decision before the end of the year, given mounting public attention. SEO takeaway The showdown over Tina Peters’ potential move to federal custody pits Colorado’s election security guardians against national election-denial forces. With Gov. Polis holding the final say, the case could set a precedent on whether politically charged inmates can leverage federal channels to escape tougher state sentences—just as the 2024 and upcoming 2026 elections keep misinformation risks high.