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'sMarketplace, 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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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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Colorado is expected to have one of the most closely watched 2020 Senate races. The entry of former governor John Hickenlooper into a crowded Senate primary field is dividing the party in the state.
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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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This year, two legislative chambers across the country have a majority of women, but in Colorado that's been in the making long before 2018.
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Sexual misconduct allegations dominated the Colorado statehouse session this year. Now, many are asking whether the state's #MeToo movement actually changed Colorado's political environment.
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Tensions are high in the Colorado Capitol with gun violence, sexual harassment complaints and an election coming, so lawmakers are wary of a bill to allow visitors to bypass normal security screening.
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The Democratic senators were targeted by gun rights activists after sweeping gun control laws were passed. The elections have attracted donations from major players across the country.
