Bente Birkeland
Bente Birkeland has been reporting on state legislative issues for KUNC and Rocky Mountain Community Radio since 2006. Originally, from Minnesota, Bente likes to hike and ski in her spare time. She keeps track of state politics throughout the year but is especially busy during the annual legislative session from January through early May.
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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.
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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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Nineteen states allow voters to try to recall elected state officials for a number of reasons, and those efforts have increased exponentially. Including in Colorado where there were six in 2019.
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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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Bills to abolish the death penalty are being debated in state legislatures across the country. In Colorado, a couple of lawmakers have a very personal connection to this political lightning rod.
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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.
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Monday, Nevada's Legislature becomes the first in U.S. history to have a majority of female lawmakers. In Colorado, also a first, women hold the majority in the House of Representatives.
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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.