The absence comes five months after Colorado Democratic Party leaders censured Polis and barred him from official party events over his decision to grant clemency to Tina Peters, the former Mesa County clerk convicted in a breach of election equipment. Polis defended the decision in a Sunday interview on “60 Minutes,” calling Peters a “nonviolent, elderly, first-time offender” who received a sentence longer than she should have.

The dispute is part of a broader pattern of disagreements. Polis has supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for U.S. health secretary, joined a Trump-backed school choice program, advocated state cooperation with federal immigration authorities involving sensitive documents, and opposed a union-backed change to Colorado labor law.

His standing with voters has also slipped from his 2022 reelection, when he won 59% of the vote. An April poll of likely Colorado voters found 44% approved of his performance and 48% viewed him unfavorably.

Polis is campaigning against Amendment 87, a graduated income tax proposal supported by Democrats and progressive groups that would replace Colorado’s 4.4% flat income tax. At the same time, he has hosted private fundraisers for Democratic candidates in his personal capacity and traveled the state for announcements and events highlighting his administration’s work.

“Governor Polis is focused on running through the finish line of his term and is spending each day tirelessly working on behalf of the state,” spokesperson Eric Maruyama said. “Since he is not on the ballot, he is not in campaign mode.”