Motion Seeks Release of Tina Peters Citing Trump Pardon Amid Colorado State Dispute
Tina Peters, the former Colorado county clerk, was convicted in October 2024 of official misconduct, conspiracy, and influencing a public servant for allowing unauthorized access to voting equipment amid election integrity concerns. She was sentenced to nine years in prison.
In early December 2025, President Trump issued a pardon for Peters, describing her as a patriot who sought to ensure fair and honest elections. Following the pardon, a motion was filed on December 23, 2025, seeking Peters' release from prison and urging the Colorado Court of Appeals to recognize the pardon.
The motion argues that Trump's pardon forgives both federal offenses and the state convictions related to Peters' actions on election integrity. However, Colorado officials dispute that the pardon applies to state charges, maintaining that the federal government has no jurisdiction over state convictions and that pardons generally only apply to federal cases.
Peters' attorney, Peter Ticktin, contends that the pardon should apply to the state charges as well and notes that the Colorado Court of Appeals may or may not have jurisdiction to hear the appeal. The Colorado court has indicated that prosecutors must file a response by early January 2026; as the deadline approaches, Peters remains incarcerated with no official stance yet from the court.
