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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No governor expects they'll have to lead their state through a global pandemic when they take office, but the last year has thrust them all into the spotlight, including Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado.
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Voting technology companies are using lawsuits to take on false claims that they were involved in stealing the 2020 election. They say the flood of election disinformation has hurt their bottom line.
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As the GOP split reverberates across the U.S., the head of one Colorado county Republican Party insinuates that COVID-19 is a hoax, calls on militia group for security and faces calls to resign.
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The head of security for a voting equipment vendor speaks out from an undisclosed location where he's living after threats or harassment were directed to him and his family — even ex-girlfriends.
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Delaying session or meeting remotely aren't options that have necessarily appealed to Republican state lawmakers who, for the most part, aren't shy about gathering in large numbers in 2021.
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While former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper is still seen as having an edge in his state's Senate primary, recent and past comments about race have dampened enthusiasm for him among some voters.
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Next week, Colorado voters will pick the Democrat to challenge GOP Sen. Cory Gardner. Former Gov. John Hickenlooper was the party's first choice for the nomination, but his campaign has hit snags.
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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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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.