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.
The Colorado Symphony Orchestra is facing a serious financial crisis. It’s led to huge pay cuts for musicians and a rash of board resignations. And now, to the cancellation of
If a registered voter failed to vote in the last election he or she is counted as “inactive.” There are tens of thousands of inactive voters in Denver. And a
Xcel Energy could lose more than 100,000 customers in Boulder next month. Voters there will decide whether to create a city-owned electric utility and throw Xcel out. Boulder Daily Camera
President Barack Obama returned to Dener, the city where he accepted the Democratic nomination back in 2008. The President was campaigning for his jobs bill. Colorado Radio’s Ben Markus was
With Colorado Public Radio, I’m Mike Lamp. Two years ago this month Xcel flipped the switch on Boulder’s Smart Grid City. The project was sold as a way of giving
343 firefighters died on 9/11. And firefighters here in Denver were the first to honor them by hiking up 110 stories — dressed in full gear. Now, there are 55
Work began Friday on one of the state’s biggest and most expensive water projects. The Southern Delivery System is a pipeline that will supply water from Pueblo to the fast-growing
The possible return of uranium mining to southwestern Colorado is supported by some and despised by others. In economically depressed areas, many would welcome the jobs.
People are buying homes in the metro area despite a sputtering economy. But they’re not your average home buyer. According to the latest figures, mostly they’re investors, hoping to cash
Some of Colorado’s largest sawmills are on the brink of collapse and hundreds of jobs hang in the balance. Mill operators say they are stymied by bad weather and unaffordable