Bente Birkeland

Position: Colorado Public Radio

There’s good news on water and other legislation

The best news I can offer today is every river basin in Colorado is above the median average for this date. Does this mean that we are over our water issues? No, but we should have enough water for...

DATE: Feb. 21, 2019 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

Let’s clear up some confusion over sex ed bill

There has been lots of conversation on House Bill 19-1032, Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education. I have been asked, why in the world would you sponsor such a bill? The answer is simple math: 33,...

DATE: Feb. 5, 2019 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

Coram: Being responsible with our water

Most people do not realize that managing water in the West is larger an effort than putting a man on the moon. The wells, reservoirs and ditches needed to direct water for both agriculture and...

DATE: April 30, 2018 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

Coram: Bringing justice to the victims of sexual harassment and assault

I do not and have never tolerated sexual harassment in the workplace. Two weeks ago, the Senate was asked to consider expelling a member of our body because of allegations of sexual harassment. ...

DATE: April 16, 2018 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

Coram: A victory for rural broadband

In rural Colorado, a farmer can lose tens of thousands of dollars in one day, a broken hip can take a week to get the right diagnosis and children flock to schools at night. Not because they want...

DATE: March 26, 2018 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

Budget, hemp and broadband dominate final days

The last two weeks of the 71st General Assembly is underway. I don’t think it can come fast enough. Patience is wearing thin on the members. With days left in the session and over 100 bills still...

DATE: May 4, 2017 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

Much accomplished, remains with three weeks to go

There are only three weeks left in the 71st Colorado General Assembly, but the pace will certainly change. It is always a lot of hurry up and wait, but from now on, it will be hectic. I have had...

DATE: April 24, 2017 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

Budget week brings long days, hectic schedule to Legislature

It has been a hectic couple weeks at the Capitol, as it has also been budget week, which is long with many debates. It is too bad that some amendments to the budget can be so contentious that some...

DATE: April 10, 2017 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

Is it possible that the American Dream is killing us?

WASHINGTON – It isn’t often that economics raises the most profound questions of human existence, but recent work of economists Anne Case and Angus Deaton (husband and wife, both of Princeton...

DATE: April 6, 2017 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

The federal budget is a massive national slush fund

WASHINGTON — There was bound to be a political commotion when the Trump administration released its 2018 budget. After all, it isn’t every day that the White House proposes deep cuts in agency...

DATE: March 30, 2017 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

Schools, horses, camels and coal

The first day of spring has arrived and the legislative session is more than halfway over. Last week, we had our first late night of debate on the Senate floor. We have already had some late-night...

DATE: March 27, 2017 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

From the Senate: on ground water, coal rolling and charter schools

These have been interesting times in the General Assembly. The worst of government rears its ugly head every now and then. That has been the case these past few days. In my last column, I...

DATE: March 13, 2017 | COLUMN: From the State Senate

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