Nick Coltrain

Politics reporter

Nick Coltrain

Nick Coltrain covers state politics for the Denver Post. He joined the news organization in 2022 after covering the Iowa caucus and COVID-19 for the Des Moines Register and all things for the Fort Collins Coloradoan.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a news conference on the new 鈥淗ealthy Colorado For All鈥� initiative in the Governor鈥檚 Residence at the Boettcher Mansion in Denver on Thursday, May 21, 2026. He also took questions from the media about his recent commutation of Tina Peters' prison sentence. (Photo by Harmon Dobson/The Denver Post)

Gov. Jared Polis brushes off party’s censure over Tina Peters clemency, saying he’s ‘really proud to be a Democrat’

May 21, 2026 at 6:53 p.m.

鈥淢arlon and the kids were thrilled because they thought it meant I鈥檇 be home earlier because, instead of going to three events a night, they thought I鈥檇 be going to...

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis delivers his final State of the State address in the House chamber at the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. Polis used his final annual speech to highlight achievements made on housing, education and transportation, among other issues. Behind Polis is House Speaker Julie McCluskie. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Colorado Democrats officially censure Gov. Jared Polis for Tina Peters clemency

May 21, 2026 at 8:38 a.m.

More than 700 people signed onto a complaint accusing Gov. Jared Polis of "conduct detrimental" to the Democratic Party for easing election denier Tina Peters' prison sentence.

Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk and recorder, speaks during a debate between candidates for the Colorado Republican Party chair position on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, in Hudson, Colorado. Peters was later convicted and sentenced for an election data-breach scheme, and last week Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Gov. Jared Polis faces possible rebuke by party for Tina Peters clemency — as JD Vance says she may qualify for payout

May 19, 2026 at 8:12 p.m.

Hundreds of Colorado Democratic elected officials, volunteers and voters have asked the state party to formally censure Gov. Jared Polis over his decision to commute Tina Peters' prison term.

Gov. Jared Polis unveils his budget proposal for the 2026-27 fiscal year at the Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

‘Gov. Polis’ legacy’? Colorado officials blast Tina Peters sentence reduction, resulting in release soon

May 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m.

Elected officials from across Colorado largely ripped into Gov. Jared Polis' Friday decision to dramatically accelerate the release of Tina Peters, accusing him of caving to President Donald Trump.

Candidate Tina Peters speaks during a ...

Gov. Jared Polis reduces Tina Peters’ sentence, says she will be released June 1

May 15, 2026 at 5:27 p.m.

Gov. Jared Polis said that "just because somebody believes the Earth is flat -- just because somebody believes in conspiracy theories -- does not mean that they should receive a...

Gov. Jared Polis speaks during a post-legislative news conference at the Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver on Thursday, May 14, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Dire Colorado budget, business wins and veto threats mark Gov. Jared Polis’ final legislative session

May 15, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

The final legislative session of Gov. Jared Polis鈥� tenure was marked by another budget deficit, predictions he鈥檒l set a personal record for vetoes, and lawmakers openly sitting on bills for...

Reps. Jennifer Bacon and Matthew Martinez pose for a photo taken by Rep. Kyle Brown during the last day of the legislative session at the Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Colorado legislature ends session with action on transportation and abortion pills — while notable measures die

May 13, 2026 at 7:59 p.m.

Lawmakers in the House and Senate plugged away with some final formal votes, in between lengthy and teary tributes to the members who are term-limited or otherwise not returning to...

Rep. Michael Carter jokes with Reps. Steven Woodrow and Alex Valdez during the last day of the legislative session at the Colorado State Capitol Building in Denver on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

Capitol updates: Legislature adjourns after passing college abortion pill access bill, killing gun and workplace bills

May 13, 2026 at 8:03 p.m.

The Colorado legislature is set to finish this year's regular session on Wednesday, with final votes planned on measures including a bill requiring colleges to provide access to abortion pills.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis takes questions from Colorado College students who are studying wildfire journalism and ecology. Polis was present and took questions from the press during a briefing and overview of the 2026 Wildfire Outlook and Preparedness Plan for the State of Colorado at Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport in Broomfield, Colorado on Thursday, April 30, 2026. (Photo by Harmon Dobson/The Denver Post)

Veto threat nixes attempt to revive ‘most effective’ anti-child poverty tax credit

May 13, 2026 at 6:00 a.m.

A pair of bills looking to bridge support for low-income families by closing some corporate tax cuts died Monday afternoon for a lack of support -- and sponsors of the...

The Colorado State Capitol building in Denver on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)

Capitol updates: Tempers flare in debate over police audio-video bill; lawmakers pass school funding, AI regulations

May 12, 2026 at 6:55 p.m.

The Colorado legislature has fewer than two full days left before it finishes its regularly scheduled work for the year. Here's the latest on Tuesday's action.

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Nick Coltrain

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Gov. Jared Polis brushes off party’s censure over Tina Peters clemency, saying he’s ‘really proud to be a Democrat’

Colorado Democrats officially censure Gov. Jared Polis for Tina Peters clemency

Gov. Jared Polis faces possible rebuke by party for Tina Peters clemency — as JD Vance says she may qualify for payout

‘Gov. Polis’ legacy’? Colorado officials blast Tina Peters sentence reduction, resulting in release soon

Gov. Jared Polis reduces Tina Peters’ sentence, says she will be released June 1

Dire Colorado budget, business wins and veto threats mark Gov. Jared Polis’ final legislative session

Colorado legislature ends session with action on transportation and abortion pills — while notable measures die

Capitol updates: Legislature adjourns after passing college abortion pill access bill, killing gun and workplace bills

Veto threat nixes attempt to revive ‘most effective’ anti-child poverty tax credit

Capitol updates: Tempers flare in debate over police audio-video bill; lawmakers pass school funding, AI regulations