Andrea Dukakis

Colorado Matters Reporter / Producer / Host

@adukakis[email protected]

Andrea Dukakis is a producer/reporter/host for Colorado Matters on CPR News. She has produced and reported for CPR for nearly two decades. Prior to joining CPR, Andrea worked at NPR and ABC News.

Education:
Bachelor's degree in English, Princeton University; Master's degree in journalism, Columbia University.

Professional background:
Andrea Dukakisreports, produces and hosts stories for Colorado Public Radio and has been at CPR for nearly two decades.Prior to coming to Colorado, she spent three years at National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. Andrea has also worked at ABC News in New York. She's reported national stories for several NPR programs, including "Morning Edition," "All Things Considered," "Justice Talking" and "Living on Earth," as well as for BBC's "The World."

Awards:
Andrea has received awards from PRNDI (Public Radio News Directors Incorporated),Colorado Broadcasters Association, Associated Press and the Colorado Community Health Network.


Q & AWhy I became a journalist:
I have always been fascinated by people and their unique experiences, and I love the news. So, it was a perfect fit. I grew up in a political family, and we always talked about issues and politics at the dinner table. But I never wanted to work in politics – I always preferred understanding issues from different perspectives. I think the most powerful stories are the ones told by those who are affected, whether it be health care reform, welfare, education, justice issues or the economy. And, I enjoy telling those stories.

Why I got into radio:
While I was in journalism school, I was offered the chance to help out at WBAI – a public radio station in New York City. I had written a story for school on Amerasian children who moved here from Vietnam after the war. The folks at WBAI let me turn it into a radio story – and I was hooked. I liked it better than print because radio adds a special texture to a story. And I preferred radio to television because I think people being interviewed are more honest when they talk into a microphone, rather than a camera.

How I ended up at CPR:
I was newly married, and my husband wanted to move to the mountains. At the time, I was at National Public Radio in Washington, D.C. We moved to Denver, and I began talking to people at Colorado Public Radio. It was really the only place I wanted to work – and the rest is history.

The Drug Bust That Never Happened

A recent article in the Washington Post details a Denver-based DEA investigation that linked the nation’s largest drug company to suspicious narcotics sales. It says DEA investigators think the company, McKesson Corporation, was let off the hook too easily by federal attorneys.
By Andrea Dukakis
Colorado Matters

Our Gift To You: A Holly Jolly Holiday Special

The Fray’s Isaac Slade and his wife, Anna, were the opening act for the 2nd annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza, a showcase of artists sharing their favorite holiday songs, memories and traditions. Guests included comedian Josh Blue, Denver Latin ska band Roka Hueka and soprano Christie Conover.
By Andrea Dukakis
Colorado Matters

Denver Immigrant Watches Congress Nervously; Sci-Fi Christmas Stories

A Denver teacher says his future is at stake in a possible Congressional showdown over immigration next week. Then, award-winning Colorado author Connie Willis says science fiction Christmas stories go back all the way to Dickens. She’s written a new collection. And, taxidermists are busy fashioning hunting trophies for the holidays. Plus, there’s something new afloat at Denver’s holiday Parade of Lights.
By Andrea Dukakis
Colorado Matters

Colorado Lends Firefighters And Engines To California; Asking Tourists To ‘Leave No Trace’; Legal Battle In The Film Industry

Colorado’s lending dozens of firefighters and engines to California; mental health workers to Puerto Rico; and medical examiners to Las Vegas. States often help each other out, but is the West prepared for a future with more natural disasters? Then, hikers aren’t supposed to leave garbage — or anything else — behind on trails, but Coloradans and visitors here still do. What the state’s doing to teach not just locals, but also tourists, to ‘leave no trace.’ And, the movies are big business, especially when it comes to where certain films get shown. It’s led to a legal battle based in Denver. Plus, on the first pages of a new novel, a high school student is murdered, and her body is discovered in a playground in the fictional town of Broomsville, Colorado.
By Andrea Dukakis
Colorado Matters

Puerto Rican Hurricane Refugee In Colorado; The Stars Aren’t Just Twinkling, They’re ‘Quaking’

Eight months ago, Rebecca Gutierrez and her husband bought a home in Puerto Rico, a dream that finally came true. Now, she’s living a nightmare. After two massive storms and nearly two weeks without power and clean water, Gutierrez left the island. She’s staying in Colorado with her niece. Then, the Colorado-built Kepler Space Telescope is giving an unexpected boost to the study of quakes in stars, or “asteroseismology.” Yes, that’s a thing. And later in the show, new chimes are ringing at the City and County building in Denver.
By Andrea Dukakis