The Colorado Democratic Party’s central committee voted decisively, at 89.8% in favor, to censure Governor Jared Polis. The censure temporarily prevents him from participating in party-sponsored events. This move follows criticism of Polis’s decision to reduce the sentence of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. Originally sentenced to nearly nine years for tampering with election equipment, Polis reduced her time by half, making her eligible for parole on June 1.
Governor Polis defended his decision, stating, “My goal is to make the right decision with the information I have.” He pointed out the sentencing disparities in similar cases of public corruption. “In nearly every case, we saw probation or 6 months,” he noted. He argued Peters’ sentence was influenced more by her statements than her actions, a concern echoed by an appellate court.
Mesa County District Attorney Dan Rubenstein disagreed, emphasizing, “This was a months-long pattern of deception.” He indicated that Peters could have faced 20 years and noted even Polis’s clemency board opposed the commutation. Rubenstein criticized Polis, asserting he ignored experienced advice, showing arrogance instead of humility.
Polis maintained he was acting in good faith, considering input from numerous Coloradans. Reflecting on the partisan split, he stated, “It’s caught up in the zeitgeist of the partisan divide…We need to make sure that you’re punished based on the crime regardless of your beliefs.”
The Democrats pushing for censure claim Polis’s decision conflicts with the party’s mission to uphold democracy. The Colorado Democratic Party released a statement condemning the governor’s actions and reaffirming their dedication to election integrity. The statement underscored the wrong message sent by reducing Peters’ sentence, suggesting it undermines years of building trust in elections.
The censure means that until further action, Polis is barred from being an honored guest or featured speaker at party-sponsored events such as the Obama Gala and DemFest. The censure reflects the party’s response to Democrat members voicing concerns over the impact of his decision on public trust and democratic institutions.