Colorado Appeals Court Orders Resentencing for Election Conspiracist Tina Peters

Former county clerk convicted in scheme to find proof of 2020 election fraud to get new sentence

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:18pm

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A cinematic painting in the style of Edward Hopper, depicting a solitary figure standing alone in an empty, dimly lit government office space, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conceptually representing the political tensions and isolation surrounding the Tina Peters election fraud case.The Tina Peters case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing battle over election integrity and the spread of misinformation, exposing deep political divisions.Denver Today

A Colorado appeals court has ruled that Tina Peters, a former county clerk convicted in a scheme to find proof of fraud in the 2020 presidential election, should be resentenced. Peters was sentenced to 9 years in prison in 2024 for sneaking in an outside expert to copy her county's election computer system during a software update. The appeals court said the judge should not have considered Peters' continued promotion of election fraud conspiracies when sentencing her.

Why it matters

The case of Tina Peters has become a cause célèbre in the election conspiracy movement, with former President Donald Trump pressuring Colorado to release her. The appeals court ruling could impact the length of Peters' sentence and the broader debate around election integrity and conspiracy theories.

The details

In 2021, Peters, the former clerk in Mesa County, Colorado, allowed an associate of MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell to copy the county's Dominion Voting Systems election computer server during a software update. Photos and videos of the confidential voting system passwords were later posted online. Peters was convicted of state crimes including attempting to influence a public servant and criminal impersonation. While her lawyers argued she only wanted to preserve election data, the judge who sentenced her in 2024 criticized her for 'peddling snake oil' and promoting election fraud conspiracies.

  • In 2021, Peters allowed an outside expert to copy her county's election computer system during a software update.
  • Peters was convicted and sentenced to 9 years in prison in 2024.
  • On April 2, 2026, a Colorado appeals court ruled that Peters should be resentenced, saying the judge should not have considered her continued promotion of election fraud conspiracies.

The players

Tina Peters

A former county clerk in Colorado who was convicted in a scheme that attempted to find proof of fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

Judge Matthew Barrett

The judge who sentenced Peters in 2024, criticizing her for 'peddling snake oil' and promoting election fraud conspiracies.

Donald Trump

The former president who has pressured Colorado to release Peters, calling her case a 'revenge campaign' against the state.

Phil Weiser

The Democratic Attorney General of Colorado who has accused the Trump administration of waging a 'revenge campaign' against the state over its refusal to free Peters.

Jared Polis

The Democratic governor of Colorado who said he is considering granting clemency for Peters, calling her sentence 'unusual and harsh' for a first-time, non-violent offender.

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What they’re saying

“The judge ripped into her, calling her a 'charlatan' who had used her position to 'peddle snake oil.'”

— Judge Matthew Barrett

“Trump has threatened to take 'harsh measures' against Colorado unless the state releases her.”

— Donald Trump

“Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a Democrat, has accused the Trump administration of waging a 'revenge campaign' by choking off funds and ending federal programs over the state's refusal to free Peters.”

— Phil Weiser, Colorado Attorney General

“Democratic Gov. Jared Polis said he was considering granting clemency for Peters, calling her sentence 'unusual and harsh' for a first-time, non-violent offender.”

— Jared Polis, Democratic Governor of Colorado

What’s next

The case will now be sent back to a lower court for a judge to issue a new sentence for Tina Peters.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate around election integrity and conspiracy theories, as well as the potential consequences for public officials who promote unsubstantiated claims of fraud. The appeals court's decision could impact the length of Peters' sentence and the broader political dynamics surrounding the issue.