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.
Librarians in at least three states are asking the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to intervene after they were fired for refusing to ban books.
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.
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.