Benta Birkeland

Former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters received a nearly nine-year sentence after she tampered with county voting machines to try to prove Trump's false claims of a stolen 2020 election.

The Democratic governor said the sentence was too harsh.

He also agreed with the state appeals court that her election denial beliefs improperly influenced the length of her sentence and ordered her release on June 1st.

Colorado Democrats say it's a dangerous and disappointing precedent that undermines the party and democratic institutions.

Polis, who leaves office in January, is also banned from speaking at party events or attending as a featured guest.

For NPR News, I'm Benta Brooklyn.

Colorado's law prohibits mental health professionals in the state from attempting to change a minor client's sexual orientation or gender identity during talk therapy sessions.

Major psychological governing bodies say the practice is harmful, and the state argued it has the authority to regulate licensed therapists.

But an eight to one high court majority sided with a Christian counselor who argues the law banning certain therapies violates the First Amendment.

The majority found the Colorado law regulates speech based on viewpoint and permits some types of speech, but not others.

One of the sponsors of Colorado's law said the ruling would put some children in jeopardy.

For NPR News, I'm Benta Birkeland in Vail, Colorado.