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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Voters in a Colorado congressional district discuss the political divisions they see at home and around the country during a crucial election year.
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Election officials across the country have spent years fighting false claims and conspiracy theories about stolen elections. Now they’re worried that new AI technologies could make the problem worse.
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Colorado jury finds an ex-Mesa County clerk guilty of four felony charges related to granting access to voting equipment to people who falsely believed the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump.
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Other states are watching as the law is refined before taking effect in 2026 but it’s getting praise for at least being a first step in regulating AI -
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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. -
Several state GOP party organizations are hurting for funds. In Colorado, the extreme right-wing views of the party chief have driven away long time donors.
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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. -
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.
