The Colorado County Clerks Association (CCCA) held a press conference this morning urging Gov. Jared Polis not to transfer former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters to federal custody.
“This issue absolutely transcends politics,” said Boulder County Clerk Molly Fitzpatrick. “It is about right and wrong, lawfulness and accountability, and not creating further damage to the integrity of our elections or escalating opportunities for threats against election officials. Our message today is directed to Governor Polis. Do not transfer Tina Peters to federal custody and communicate that decision publicly and quickly. Every day that this decision lingers in silence, the pressure on us grows. We need Governor Polis to stand with us, united and now.”
Last year, Peters was sentenced to nine years in prison for her role in breaching the security of Mesa County voting machines in an unsuccessful effort to prove the legitimacy of claims that Dominion Voting Systems machines were engaged in election fraud. Those claims originated in part due to allegations made by Douglas County podcaster Joe Oltmann, whose claims of hearing former Dominion executive Eric Coomer on an “antifa conference call” led to multiple defamation lawsuits.
“I have served twelve years in this office, three as clerk, and I have loved this work,” said Routt County Clerk Jenny Thomas. “I have loved serving the people of my county. But Governor, you need to understand what it’s like now, what it has become. It’s louder, it’s meaner, it’s heavy, and it’s divided, and we are alone in it. We, Colorado’s county clerks, built this system on trust — trust with our neighbors, and trust in the law. Election integrity isn’t supposed to be a weapon. It isn’t supposed to be partisan.”
The clerks commented on the uptick in violent threats they’ve received amid conspiracies about election fraud and the hope of federal involvement in Peters’ case.
“I’ve had to have multiple conversations since 2021 with my family, including this weekend, about credible threats,” said Weld County Clerk Carly Koppes, who is also the president-elect of the CCCA. “That conversation, Governor Polis, never gets easier. The impact of Miss Peterson’s decisions that she made all on her own have had a massive impact on me and my fellow clerk and recorders. And the families that love and support us.”
Oltmann, who has a well-documented history of incendiary remarks, has weighed in on the recent developments in the Peters case. “The penalty for Treason is death,” he wrote on Facebook. “The crimes committed against the people of Colorado and the citizens of the USA rise to the level of treason. Yes, these people are treasonous traitors who have stolen the life of Tina Peters, stolen your voice, used a rigged system to double your property tax, steal your second amendment rights, allow criminals to make victims of our people.”
On Nov. 23, Oltmann posted a litany of grievances, including Peters’ incarceration. “Do not tell me violence is not the answer,” he wrote. “I’ve seen what the process has let happen. They murdered Charlie, they have jailed Tina Peters, jailed J6ers, and injected poison into the veins of our brothers, sisters, mothers and fathers, murdering them. They have cancelled us, bullied, sued and stolen from us. They have put thugs on the street, opened the border to drugs and trafficking. They have allowed our children to be groomed and captured our most sacred institutions while telling us, they are not doing anything wrong. They stole our voice, used the media to drown out the truth and destroyed the lives of countless Americans. Do not tell me we should remain peaceful, do not tell me to ‘trust the political leaders, police and rotted judiciary.’ I am not calling for violence yet I recognize that violence is the only thing that will destroy this evil and level set where we are. I want consequences and I want accountability.”
The clerks urged Polis to speak out on the issue. “Governor Polis has not agreed to meet with us yet,” said Denver County Clerk Paul Lopez. “The fact that the silence, the non-communication, the non-response to the 64 clerk and recorders elected by the people of this state, in 64 different counties, have yet to receive a response. This should be a no-brainer. This should be something that we should move forward on.”
Polis spokesperson Shelby Wieman expressed support for the clerks. “No election official should have to fear for their safety just for doing their jobs,” she said in an email. “Colorado has among the best, most trustworthy election systems in the nation, and Colorado voters should rest easy that dedicated officials are maintaining our nation-leading voting system. The Governor welcomes an opportunity to meet with the clerks to hear from them directly and has signed many laws to protect the integrity of our free and fair elections, including increasing penalties for threatening public officials. Governor Polis takes his responsibilities seriously and has been clear that he will take threats from the federal government head-on – especially when they undermine our democracy – which is why we have vigorously defended Colorado’s values during this turbulent time.”
Additionally, a state process does exist for transferring an incarcerated individual to another jurisdiction, but transferring an individual is an action initiated by the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDoC), not an outside entity, and is based on CDoC’s internal classification and threat-assessment protocol. This process is typically reserved for complex cases involving significant, long-term safety and security needs.
“Requests to transfer inmates from the Colorado Department of Corrections emanate from the state, and not from other entities,” said Alondra Gonzalez, CDoC’s director of communications, in an email. “The Department is not currently seeking any transfer.”
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to include comment from Gov. Polis’ office and the Colorado Department of Corrections.
