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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After all the drama of recent years, the start to the 119th Congress has been, dare we say it, pretty normal?
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In this episode of Purplish, hosts Bente Birkeland of CPR News and KUNC's State Capitol reporter Lucas Brady Woods guide you through all the dramatic moments as the session got underway. They also lay out some future fights that are expected, on topics like guns and labor.
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Rep. Jenny Willford says she was sexually assaulted by an unauthorized driver who was using someone else’s account.
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Five big takeaways from the 2025 State of the State.
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Budget cuts and national politics could shape the legislature’s ambitions this year.
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The Colorado Supreme Court has barred former President Trump from the state's primary ballot, citing a Constitution clause that disqualifies candidates from office who've engaged in insurrection.
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Some state Republican parties — like Colorado's — are struggling after steep election losses, and are witnessing infighting that has left deep divisions when it comes to the future of the GOP.
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Abortion access has declined dramatically nationwide, but many states have further protected abortion by enacting "shield laws," allocating funding, stockpiling medication and repealing old laws.
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In 2023, a record number of states have passed rules or legislation to eliminate youth gender-affirming care, but a record number of states have also moved to protect care for trans youth and adults.
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If Dominion prevails in its massive defamation suit against Fox News, a big challenge for the voting tech company will be to demonstrate that it deserves more than $1 billion in damages.