Ben Markus is an investigative reporter for Colorado Public Radio.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in history with a minor in English, University of California at Davis.
Professional background:
Ben joined Colorado Public Radio in April 2011 as a general assignment reporter. He was named business reporter in 2017 and became the investigative reporter in 2019. As a business reporter, he shaped CPR’s business and economics coverage creating dozens of databases to track the important drivers that define the Colorado economy.
Ben came to CPR after spending three years at Hawaii Public Radio where he produced award-winning coverage on a range of subjects, including health care, technology and education. He learned the ins and outs of public radio from his first job at Capital Public Radio in Sacramento, California. Following that, he served as a reporter and producer at KUAC-FM/Alaska One in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Awards:
In 2010, Ben won the top prize for general news and feature reporting in the Hawaii Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He also served as senior fellow in NPR’s Economic Training Project.
Why I became a journalist:
I first realized I wanted to be a journalist after watching the movie “All The Presidents Men.” It was empowering to know that good journalism—exposing the truth—can shake the pillars of American society. I think members of the press still occupy a unique and revered role in our society as members of the fourth estate. I’m proud to call myself a journalist, and I take the job seriously.
Why I got into radio:
I came to radio because I wanted to tell stories that touched people’s lives, the way NPR so often touches mine. Like many listeners, I was glued to my radio following 9/11. Melissa Block’s reporting at that time was part of what inspired me to become a reporter.
How I ended up at CPR:
After living the island life in Hawaii for three years, I was ready to make a change. CPR stuck out to me because of the news team’s commitment to local issues, the state-of-the-art facilities, and the fact that there is a lot of support for CPR in the community. It was an added bonus that Colorado offers a lot of options for the leisure activities my wife and I enjoy, including traveling, listening to live music and attending sporting events. Denver seemed like an ideal place for us, and I’m really happy to being a part of CPR’s bright future.
Today’s the deadline for 23 medical marijuana dispensaries to close their doors or relocate. The order came from the Justice Department, targeting shops near schools.
Colorado’s Republican presidential caucuses are only a few days away, but the state hasn’t exactly been deluged by candidate visits or campaign advertising.
It might seem like science fiction: commercial space flights shuttling people across the globe in two hours. But that scenario is on it’s way to becoming reality.
The housing crisis has stalled home building. But apartment construction has come back to life. There’s now a huge pool of people forced to rent because of the recession. CPR’s
One of the most beautiful drives in Colorado is through Glenwood Canyon on 1-70. But it’s also one of the most dangerous — think rockslides and tight turns.
Gov. John Hickenlooper is asking Colorado public schools to absorb almost all the cuts needed to balance the state budget next year – but the reductions won’t be nearly as
Twenty businesses in Fort Collins could soon be forced to shut down. They’re not just any businesses, they’re medical marijuana dispensaries. Voters there, as in six other counties or towns
President Barack Obama made his second appearance at a Denver school in less than a month Wednesday. This time he was at the University of Colorado, Denver. And he used