Ryan Warner

Colorado Matters Senior Host

@CPRWarner[email protected]

Ryan Warner is senior host of Colorado Matters, the flagship daily interview program from CPR News. His voice is heard on frequencies around the state as he talks with Coloradans from all walks of life — politicians, scientists, artists, activists and others. Ryan's interviews with Colorado's governor now span four administrations. During his tenure, Colorado Matters has consistently been recognized as the best major market public radio talk show in the country. He speaks French, geeks out on commercial aviation, adores and tolerates his tuxedo cat Bob, and owns too many shoes.

Professional background:
Ryan came to CPR from WGCU in Fort Myers, Fla. He was the founding host of that station's daily call-in talk show, Gulf Coast Live. Ryan served as assistant news director and local host of NPR's "All Things Considered" and filed stories for NPR during Hurricane Charley in 2004. Ryan previously hosted "Morning Edition" on WYSO Public Radio in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and co-created a weekend news magazine there. Prior to that, he served as news director of KOPN Community Radio in Columbia, Missouri. For two years, Ryan left public radio to report and anchor weekend news at KTIV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Sioux City, Iowa.

Education:
Bachelor's degrees in political science and French, University of Missouri-Columbia; Master's degree in broadcast journalism, Boston University.

Awards:
Ryan has won numerous awards from Public Media Journalists Association for his interviews. He's also been honored by The Associated Press. Westword named Ryan the Best Talk-Radio Host for 2021, and the editors of 5280 Magazine voted him Top Radio Talk Show Host of 2009.

Photo shows an isolated country road leading into changing fall foliage at the La Garita Wilderness area in southwest Colorado.
Colorado Matters

Sept. 20, 2024: Rain, snow and fall colors; Roots of Tren de Aragua

The first day of fall is Sunday. In our regular chat with Denver7 chief meteorologist Mike Nelson, we take stock of a record-hot summer, changing leaves, and what’s ahead for winter. Then, the origins of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which has thrust Aurora into the national spotlight. Later, for “Girls in Aviation Day”, and encore with pioneering pilot M’Lis Ward.
By Ryan Warner
Migrant sugar beet farm workers play baseball in this 1937 photo in northern Colorado.
Colorado Matters

Sept. 18, 2024: Rep. Crow on Secret Service, candidate safety; Beet field baseball

Colorado Rep. Jason Crow says the Secret Service is spread thin heading into the general election. Crow is on the task force investigating the assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. Then, people whose lives have changed because of Denver Basic Income. Then, preserving the legacy of the Sugar Beet League in Colorado. Plus, Colorado Wonders about the state’s welcome sign, and Avourneen celebrates 10 years!
By Ryan Warner
An empty theatre viewed from the middle balcony seating.
Colorado Matters

Sept. 16, 2024: How a theater could help drive Western Slope economy; Students are ‘bringing music to life’

Mesa County has traditionally been an affordable alternative to the Front Range, but that’s changed dramatically in recent years. Then, a new theatre at Colorado Mesa University could be an economic driver beyond the campus. Plus, we’ll talk with CMU’s president, John Marshall, about the skyrocketing student enrollment. Later, unique pinto bean recipes in Cortez, and how the Montezuma-Cortez Middle School band is “Bringing Music to Life.”
By Ryan Warner
Zan Merrill pictured rowing in her raft down the Colorado River.
Colorado Matters

Sept. 11, 2024: Mesa County DA on Tina Peters case; A sisterhood of rafters; Picking the perfect peach

District Attorney Dan Rubinstein takes us inside one of the first convictions of an election official related to The Big Lie: former Mesa County clerk Tina Peters will be sentenced October 3. We’ll talk about takeaways from the case and what’s next. Then, ride the Colorado River with a sisterhood of rafters. And later, high-tech meets gut instinct: developing a new way to pick the perfect Palisade peach.
By Ryan Warner
Colorado Matters

Sept. 9, 2024: Candidates for Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District make their case to fill seat vacated by Boebert

The race to represent Western and Southern Colorado in Congress is much milder than it’s been the past few cycles. Colorado’s 3rd Congressional District is an open seat this year, with Lauren Boebert having switched districts to run for a safer seat. That leaves Democrat Adam Frisch facing off against Republican Jeff Hurd. Both candidates say they want sensible energy and immigration policies, as well as protections for water, though they chart different routes to achieve that.
By Ryan Warner
Image shows a self-portrait of artist Tokio Ueyama
Colorado Matters

Sept. 6, 2024: Taking the pulse of public health; Amache’s great painter

Four out of ten people who worked in public health in Colorado left their jobs during the pandemic. We’ll get a pulse on what’s happening with the dean of the Colorado School of Public Health, Cathy Bradley. Then, opening statements and witness testimony offer a glimpse of what’s to come in the trial of the man who shot and killed ten people in a Boulder grocery store. Later, the Denver Art Museum showcases the artistry of a gifted painter who was incarcerated at Amache.
By Ryan Warner