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.
-
NPR visits one politically divided married couple in Pueblo, Colo., as they debate politics ahead of the 2020 election.
-
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.
-
Several state legislatures have called off their 2020 sessions due to the coronavirus outbreak, leaving necessary lawmaking in question.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.