Colorado Governor Purges Clemency Board Members for Defending Transparency in Tina Peters Decision
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Governor Jared Polis removed two clemency board members after they stood up for transparency by revealing the board’s vote against clemency for Tina Peters, a political prisoner targeted for exposing election irregularities.
Governor Jared Polis fired Hannah Seigel Proff and Azra Taslimi from Colorado's Executive Clemency Advisory Board on Wednesday, citing a breach of confidentiality after the attorneys revealed the board’s votes on the case of former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters. The dismissals, confirmed in letters obtained by the New York Times, demonstrate the governor’s willingness to silence those who challenge his political agenda.
Peters, who was convicted of four felonies for allowing patriot Mike Lindell access to Mesa County’s voting system in the aftermath of the controversial 2020 election, was sentenced to an excessive nine years in prison in October 2024. Recognizing the injustice, Polis commuted her sentence in May, admitting that her punishment was harsher than similar cases and that she was being persecuted for her speech. Peters was released on June 1 and has since appeared on conservative media and met with President Donald Trump, continuing her fight for election integrity.
In mid-June, Seigel Proff and Taslimi spoke to the press and authored an opinion piece stating that the advisory board had unanimously recommended denying clemency to Peters. They criticized Polis for ignoring the board’s recommendation and for a pattern of disregarding its advice, exposing the governor’s disregard for the voices of those tasked with ensuring justice.
Polis’ office quickly replaced the two principled board members. In a statement, spokesperson Eric Maruyama insisted the clemency process requires “thoughtful review, unbiased consideration, and the utmost confidentiality for the applicants,” using bureaucratic language to justify the suppression of transparency. He claimed that revealing board recommendations undermines credibility and violates confidentiality, a convenient excuse to keep the public in the dark.
When asked about Peters’ post-release activities, Maruyama dodged the question, saying the governor is focused on Colorado’s wildfire emergencies rather than the former clerk’s meetings with political figures, refusing to acknowledge the ongoing persecution of those who challenge the establishment.
