Former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters will stay behind bars. The Colorado Court of Appeals rejected her request for release on bond Thursday, dealing a major setback to the 69-year-old who is serving nine years for election tampering convictions.
The three-judge panel ruled her filing came far too late. Peters missed Colorado’s strict 49-day deadline by more than 15 months. Her legal team argued the delay stemmed from difficulties scheduling a hearing, but the court found no valid excuse.
Why the Request Was Filed So Late
Peters was sentenced October 3, 2024. Under Colorado rules, defendants have exactly 49 days to ask for bond while their appeal is pending. That deadline passed in late November 2024.
Her attorneys say they repeatedly tried to get a hearing date in Mesa County but ran into scheduling problems. The appeals court did not buy that explanation and called the request “procedurally barred.”
The same ruling also denied Peters’ request to remove the original trial judge, Matthew Barrett, from any future proceedings in her case.
Quick Recap of the Case
Peters gained national attention in 2021 when she allowed an unauthorized person to use a county employee’s security badge to access the Mesa County voting system. Images of the election equipment’s hard drive later appeared on far-right websites and were shown at a “cybersymposium” hosted by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell.
Prosecutors proved Peters deceived county officials and created false credentials to breach the secure system. A jury convicted her on seven of ten charges in August 2024.
Judge Barrett sentenced her to nine years in prison, calling her actions “a breach of trust of massive proportion.” Peters reported to prison in early December 2024.
Trump Tried to Pardon Her Anyway
President Donald Trump issued what he called a “full and unconditional pardon” for Peters in late December 2024. Colorado Governor Jared Polis quickly pointed out the obvious problem: Peters was convicted of state crimes, and presidential pardons only apply to federal offenses.
Polis publicly declined to honor the pardon. Peters remains in state custody at the Denver Women’s Correctional Facility.
What Happens Next
Her main appeal on the conviction itself is still moving forward in the Colorado Court of Appeals. Legal experts say Thursday’s bond ruling does not affect the merits of that appeal, but it does mean she will serve most or all of her sentence even if she eventually wins.
Peters’ supporters have raised more than $300,000 for her legal defense and prison commissary account. Many still call her a political prisoner and continue to demand her release.
The former clerk, now inmate number 195135, lost another round in her long fight. For now, the prison doors stay closed.
What do you think about the court’s decision? Was the 49-day rule applied fairly, or should judges show more flexibility in high-profile cases? Drop your thoughts below.
