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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President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III, a major shift that could reshape Colorado’s cannabis industry, research access, and federal tax policy — without fully legalizing the drug. -
Gov. Jared Polis signs an executive order to address a spreading mountain pine beetle outbreak threatening ponderosa pine forests along Colorado’s Front Range. -
A new Colorado poll finds independent voters distrust both parties, want more moderation, and are most concerned about housing costs, taxes, and polarization. -
A federal magistrate has dismissed former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters’ request to be released on bond while she appeals her 2024 conviction. Peters, serving a nine-year sentence related to illegal access to county voting machines, argued federal issues warranted intervention. The judge ruled that state appeals must be completed first, noting that any potential First Amendment errors could be addressed in state court. -
The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office says two separate crashes occurred the night Sen. Faith Winter was killed on I-25. A full reconstruction is underway. -
Federal officials have requested Tina Peters be moved from a Colorado state prison to a federal facility as she appeals her conviction, citing safety concerns. -
Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who’s running for governor in 2026, says he supports a push to redraw the state’s congressional districts before the next census — a major break from Colorado Democrats’ usual defense of the state’s independent redistricting commission. Weiser argues the move is needed to counter extreme gerrymanders in Republican-led states. The proposal, which would require a constitutional amendment, would let the governor appoint a temporary commission to redraw maps. Governor Jared Polis and Senator Michael Bennet have both expressed skepticism about the plan. -
The legislature is trying to head off a law that takes effect early next year. They’ll have several different choices of how to do that. -
Even many voters who support the president questioned the lengths his administration is going to to remove people from the country.
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State grants for transportation, infrastructure, energy projects and more will come with new housing policy requirements, starting this fall.
