Today, Citizens’ Impeachment and Courage For Democracy stand in unwavering solidarity with election workers across Colorado and the United States. These public servants face harassment, intimidation, threats, and violence for carrying out their duty. They are the guardians of our elections, and they deserve our gratitude, our protection, and our support.
That is why we strongly condemn Governor Jared Polis’s decision to commute Tina Peters’s sentence, as it undermines efforts to uphold trust in our electoral system. Trump lost the 2020 election. Peters’s actions fueled the spread of distrust and misinformation, propagating the “Big Lie” that gave rise to an insurrection on January 6, 2021. At a time when confidence in democratic institutions is under attack, Governor Polis’ decision demonstrates a profound failure in leadership and judgment.
In addition to the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, election denialism has led to concrete harms including threats and violence against election officials, and the firebombing of a Colorado election office last year. These incidents show that promoting mistrust in elections encourages real-world intimidation and violence, to include intimidation from the Trump administration against the State of Colorado itself. The Trump administration has repeatedly attempted to use Peters’ conviction as a point of leverage, threatening the state of Colorado with financial harm if her sentence was not commuted. It appears that the administration has been successful.
Governor Polis had a choice to support democratic values and accountability, but chose a path that voters and leaders from both parties warned would send a dangerous signal during a critical time. This decision defines his leadership and signals a surrender of principle when courage was needed most.
Accountability is vital for democracy. Undermining faith in elections harms our republic, and those responsible should not avoid consequences. Leaders must defend truth and trust in institutions, even when it is politically difficult.
As citizens and voters, we must demand better. We must support and elevate candidates who have the courage to fight for our democracy. We must confront those who seek to erode public trust in our elections. The stakes are too high for hesitation. The future of our democracy depends on leaders willing to meet this moment with integrity and conviction.
Colorado is already taking action against Governor Polis for his failure to uphold the rule of law. The Colorado Democratic party central committee voted overwhelmingly to censure the governor, with 89.8% supporting the measure banning Polis from speaking at or attending party events. The question for the party now is how to cultivate a generation of leaders courageous enough to pursue accountability.
~Sammy Trout,
CI Director for Congressional Outreach & Engagement and Colorado Activist
