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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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. -
The SEED Act would have restricted the use of neonicotinoid-coated seeds. -
The move scrambles Colorado’s healthcare landscape, amplifying fear for immigrants and institutions providing care. -
The new poll from Keating Research, backed by groups that support ranked choice voting and fully open primaries, showed opportunities and challenges for both major parties. The numbers roughly reflect the current percentage makeup of the state’s electorate. -
The senator was killed in an I-25 traffic crash last week. -
With 600,000 Coloradans losing benefits, one analyst describes the state aid as ‘trying to plow a field with a fork.'
