(Joe Heller, hellertoons.com)

BY MEGAN SCHRADER
MSCHRADER@DENVERPOST.COM / @MEGANSCHRADER

I knew Coloradans would be upset that Polis released Tina Peters from jail early -- after all, she is an annoying blight on this state who played a role in President Donald Trump's dangerous attempts to undermine the 2020 election and remain in office.

I was not prepared, however, for the amount of hate mail I'd receive from Republicans.

Their logic goes something like this -- Peters is completely innocent and was a political prisoner being held by captors who invented the charges against her. Polis' refusal to pardon her (make it as though she was never convicted) is a slap in the face. Instead, Polis granted her clemency, resulting in her immediate release, but her criminal record still stands.

The Denver Post editorial board supported Polis' decision -- we think the sentence was overly harsh and based in part on protected speech -- but we do not think Peters is innocent.

Most importantly, Peters also does not think she is innocent. Polis told The Denver Post editorial board that Peters admitted guilt and apologized in her application for clemency. I have yet to see that document. The Post's reporters have filed a records request for it. But Peters did Tweet out an admission to her guilt shortly after Polis granted her clemency.

Peters is many things -- divorced from reality in a way that has made her vulnerable to the president's lies -- but she is most certainly not innocent.

Want to sound off on a topic? Tap here to submit a letter to the editor or email your letter to openforum@denverpost.com.

Want to reach out? Email me or find me on X. While you're at it, follow The Denver Post Opinion Page on X. Forward this to a friend so they can subscribe to the newsletter, too.