Tina Peters is free, but the story is likely far from over
About this episode
The episode discusses the early release of Tina Peters from prison and its implications for elections and politics in Colorado.
Colorado released former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters on parole June 1 from a women’s state correctional facility in Pueblo. She was less than two years into a nearly nine-year sentence for her role in tampering with county voting machines months after the 2020 presidential election, part of an effort to search for election rigging. Peters, who has become a hero among some MAGA voters, wasted no time repeating claims that Democrats are using technology to steal elections. The decision to free Peters early has potentially upended Gov. Jared Polis’ final months in office, enraging his political allies and disheartening defenders of the election system. CPR’s Bente Birkeland and Tom Hesse dig into this long and complicated tale, from the original plot to access Mesa County’s election equipment, to the pressure campaign President Donald Trump launched to free her and Polis’ recent clemency decision. They also discuss what her early release could mean for elections and politics in the state, and elsewhere, going forward. Catch up on our latest coverage: Colorado Matters: ‘It brainwashes people:’ Head of Colorado’s county clerks is concerned Tina Peters’ disinformation against…
More episodes of Purplish
- Did Colorado get hit with an anti-incumbent wave on primary night?
- Colorado’s Capitol is a trove of histories, curiosities and controversies
- The Republicans and Democrats who want to represent you in Congress
- The Democrats and Republicans who want to be Colorado’s next governor
- Wrapping up the session: the policies, the politics... and the poetry
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Purplish podcast page.