Carl Bilek

Colorado Matters Executive Producer

@CarlBilek[email protected]

Carl joined Colorado Public Radio in 2018. He brought with him nearly 30 years of experience in the broadcast news industry, all of which was spent covering news in Denver.

Professional Background:

Most recently, he was National Director of Content at the E.W. Scripps Company, where he helped manage the "Now" show for stations across the country.

Carl has extensive experience in leadership roles for local newsrooms. He was formerly the acting news director and executive producer at KMGH, and was also the news director at KWGN.

Awards:

After 25 years of service dedicated to excellence, Carl was inducted into the Silver Circle of the NATAS Heartland Region in 2017. He also received four regional Emmy Awards for his work on special projects at KMGH, and was a part of the station's leadership when it won the Emmy for both news excellence and station excellence.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in communications with a minor in marketing from Metropolitan State University of Denver

A framed portrait of baseball player Theodore "Bubbles" Anderson. He is wearing a green baseball cap and a baseball uniform. It is a head-and-shoulders image.
Colorado Matters

Aug. 5, 2025: Respiratory viruses could awaken dormant cancer cells; Honoring Theodore ‘Bubbles’ Anderson

New research shows that respiratory viruses, like the flu and COVID-19, could “wake up” dormant cancer cells. We speak with with James DeGregori, the senior author of the study and deputy director of the Colorado Cancer Center. Then, Theodore “Bubbles” Anderson was the only Colorado native to play in the Negro Baseball League. A century later, he’s been inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame, thanks to the efforts of sports journalist Justin Adams.
By Carl Bilek and Chandra Thomas Whitfield
UMS PROFILE YASINEEMANNI CM STUDIO
Colorado Matters

July 25, 2025: A summer of heat, drought and flooding; ‘Western Soul’ singer/songwriter at UMS

Do you know the hottest temperature ever recorded in Denver? We find out from Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo as the summer heat carries on. Plus, drought and the risk of flash floods. Then, FEMA cuts funding for water quality projects in Colorado. Plus, Denver singer/songwriter YasmineEmani performs in our studio as she prepares for this weekend’s Underground Music Showcase. And later, we try crafting a viral recipe.
By Carl Bilek and Ryan Warner
Western Slope wildfire smoke turns the sky orange
Colorado Matters

July 16, 2025: Wildfire evacuees thankful for firefighters; Coping with trauma through laughter

Wildfires churn on Colorado’s Western Slope, leaving evacuees to wonder and worry. Then, in a rare move, a paramedic is charged with manslaughter in Boulder. Plus, nurse-turned-comedian Nancy Norton on “playing with your pain.” Also, an invitation to “Turn the Page” with David Baron, author of “The Martians.” And, Colorado Wonders about how to pronounce places, and DIA clears its free concert series for takeoff!
By Carl Bilek
Four participants in Youth on Record are seated in front of microphones at a table in a recording stucio.
Colorado Matters

‘Youth on Rewind’ asks: When does civic life begin and end?

When President Biden leaves office, he’ll be 83. His successor, Donald Trump, will be 78. How should age factor into leadership, at either end of the timeline? The podcast “Youth on Rewind,” produced in Denver, explores that question in a recent episode. Let’s listen to some of the discussion with Miah Edwards, Delaney Lim, Lucy Richardson, and Jasenia Sutherlin.
By Carl Bilek
Colorado Matters

An arctic blast in an age of climate change

Colorado just endured an arctic blast that set new record-low temperatures in parts of the state. Will we see another one this winter? And how does climate change factor into the extreme weather? These are some of the questions Ryan Warner asks Denver7 chief meteorologist Mike Nelson in their monthly conversation about the interplay between weather and climate.
By Carl Bilek