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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Residents at a mobile home park in western Colorado are competing with another bidder to buy the land under their homes for $23 million dollars. The community effort is influencing state laws and regional strategies to preserve parks as affordable housing. -
Tina Peters, convicted on several counts and sentenced to nearly nine years in prison, was released early after Gov. Jared Polis commuted her sentence. -
One bill was focused on social media platforms and collaboration with law enforcement while the other was concerned with automated driving. -
The controversial commutation follows a months-long pressure campaign from the Trump administration to free Tina Peters. -
The two top Democrat candidates for governor answer questions of affordability, water, jobs and more in debate sponsored by CPR News, Denver7 and The Denver Post. -
Initiative 175, proposed by construction contractors, would ensure road fees are spent on road construction while Legislature worries about losing money for core services. -
The new proposal would require companies to take more action around problem drivers. -
Colorado voters split on trajectory of state but share common worry on polarization. -
For the 120-day session, legislators are paid $40,000 and a per diem. Most hold normal jobs when they’re not at the State Capitol. -
One party leader calls it a “dumpster fire” after state chair resigns following no-confidence vote.
