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

worker toils on new construction in denver, r m, housing, real estate, construction, economy

Denver’s Missing Middle And The Search For Solutions

They’re the “missing middle.” People who can’t afford to rent or buy in Denver and other parts of Colorado and people who can’t find a place to live in the first place. What’s the cause? And what are some solutions? Denverite’s housing reporter Donna Bryson gathered a panel to get perspective. This is an excerpt of that panel discussion which was held in front of an audience in the Curious Theatre in Denver.

Remembering Former Denver Poet Laureate And Award-Winning Author Chris Ransick

A former Denver poet laureate and award-winning author died Monday. Chris Ransick was 57. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year. One of his friends told the Denver Post, Ransick was “just a real mensch”– Yiddish for a good guy. We spoke with Ransick several times over the years. He reflected on one his works, “Poem For A Cold Walk Home,” set in winter. He also shared a cherished moment from his childhood in New York. Ransick talked about the power of words and his love of writing. Ransick taught English and Creative Writing for more than two decades in Colorado and was Denver’s Poet Laureate from 2006 to 2010. He won a Colorado Book Award for Poetry for his first book, “Never Summer,” published in 2002. His wife Shannon and his children, Sean and Kelsey, were by his side when he died.
denver downtown, backed up interstate 25 traffic, r m

Voters To Decide If Denver Should Have Its First Transportation Department

You don’t have to live in Denver to be affected by its transportation issues. From finding a parking spot, to getting around on light rail, or mapping a bike-friendly route. So it’s notable that the city wants to create a new Department of Transportation and Infrastructure. Voters will decide if it’s the right route this election. David Sachs is covering the issue for Denverite, which is part of CPR News.

Happy 99th Birthday To A Classical Music Pioneer

He’s known as “the Jackie Robinson of Classical Music.” During segregation, he played bass in what became the Colorado Symphony. Charlie Burrell paved the way for other African-American musicians in the United States. On Friday, October 4, the Colorado Symphony celebrates Burrell’s 99th birthday with a special concert. This interview is from 2006 while Burrell was working on his memoir about his legacy and love for both classical and jazz music.

Police Efforts To Solve Colorado Sex Assault Cases Highlighted In New Netflix Series, ‘Unbelievable’

What happens when a woman is raped, but police don’t believe her, and even charge her with false reporting? That’s the premise behind “Unbelievable,” a Netflix series that premieres Friday. The series is based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation by ProPublica called, “An Unbelievable Story of Rape.” T. Christian Miller co-wrote the article in 2015, with Ken Armstrong, a reporter at The Marshall Project, which covers criminal justice. Their story includes top notice police work in Colorado, which was critical to the arrest of a serial rapist. Colorado Matters spoke with T. Christian Miller when his report was first published.
De'von Bailey Police Shooting Memorial Mourners Colorado Springs

What Does The Law Allow When It Comes To Officer-Involved Shootings In Colorado?

The investigation into the fatal police shooting of an African-American teen in Colorado Springs continues to raise questions about what happened. The autopsy report shows 19-year-old De’Von Baily was shot three times in the back as he ran from officers, and once in the back of the arm. On Thursday, the police department released body camera footage of that foot chase and shooting. CPR’s Southern Colorado reporter Dan Boyce updates the case. Then, it’s up to the District Attorney to decide whether any officers should be charged. For perspective on what goes into that kind of decision, Mitch Morrissey is here with us. He was Denver’s elected District Attorney for 12 years, and spent a total of 34 years in the DA’s office.