Bente Birkeland
Bente Birkeland has covered Colorado politics and government since spring of 2006. She loves the variety and challenge of the state capitol beat and talking to people from all walks of life. Bente's work has aired on NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered, American PublicMedia's Marketplace, and she was a contributor for WNYC's The Next Big Thing. She has won numerous local and national awards, including best beat reporting from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors. Bente grew up in Minnesota and England, and loves skiing, hiking, and is an aspiring cello player. She lives in Lakewood with her husband.
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Next week, Colorado voters will pick the Democrat to challenge GOP Sen. Cory Gardner. Former Gov. John Hickenlooper was the party's first choice for the nomination, but his campaign has hit snags.
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The coronavirus is forcing governors to ask how to balance public safety with the financial welfare of their states. We spent the day with Colorado Gov. Jared Polis as the pandemic tested his mettle.
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Governors are questioning how to balance public safety with states' financial welfare during the coronavirus outbreak. We spent the day with Gov. Jared Polis, Democrat from Colorado.
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Several state legislatures have called off their 2020 sessions due to the coronavirus outbreak, leaving necessary lawmaking in question.
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The city of Pueblo, Colo. went for Donald Trump in 2016, but a diverse population and an activated base of working-class voters could flip it in 2020.
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How are voters in Colorado, where a major Senate race is underway, reacting to President Trump's impeachment trial?
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Democratic Gov. Jared Polis is expected to sign the bill this week, allowing guns to be temporarily taken from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.
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Bills to abolish the death penalty are being debated in state legislatures across the country. In Colorado, a couple of lawmakers have a very personal connection to this political lightning rod.
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The 67-year-old former geologist, beer brewer and mayor of Denver points to accomplishments such as Medicaid expansion and increased spending on infrastructure and public education.
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Monday, Nevada's Legislature becomes the first in U.S. history to have a majority of female lawmakers. In Colorado, also a first, women hold the majority in the House of Representatives.