Ryan Warner

Colorado Matters Senior Host

[email protected]

Ryan Warner is senior host of Colorado Matters, the flagship daily interview program from CPR News. His voice is heard on frequencies around the state as he talks with Coloradans from all walks of life — politicians, scientists, artists, activists and others. Ryan's interviews with Colorado's governor now span four administrations. During his tenure, Colorado Matters has consistently been recognized as the best major market public radio talk show in the country. He speaks French, geeks out on commercial aviation, adores and tolerates his tuxedo cat Bob, and owns too many shoes.

Professional background:
Ryan came to CPR from WGCU in Fort Myers, Fla. He was the founding host of that station's daily call-in talk show, Gulf Coast Live. Ryan served as assistant news director and local host of NPR's "All Things Considered" and filed stories for NPR during Hurricane Charley in 2004. Ryan previously hosted "Morning Edition" on WYSO Public Radio in Yellow Springs, Ohio, and co-created a weekend news magazine there. Prior to that, he served as news director of KOPN Community Radio in Columbia, Missouri. For two years, Ryan left public radio to report and anchor weekend news at KTIV-TV, the NBC affiliate in Sioux City, Iowa.

Education:
Bachelor's degrees in political science and French, University of Missouri-Columbia; Master's degree in broadcast journalism, Boston University.

Awards:
Ryan has won numerous awards from Public Media Journalists Association for his interviews. He's also been honored by The Associated Press. Westword named Ryan the Best Talk-Radio Host for 2021, and the editors of 5280 Magazine voted him Top Radio Talk Show Host of 2009.


Contact:

Bluesky: @ryanhasaquestion

Instagram: @oddryhepburn

Woman in light blue Elsa dress sings on stage.

Jan. 7, 2026: Colorado’s flu spike; History of CU’s first Black law students; Inside thespians’ minds

The flu picture ain’t pretty in Colorado, but we look at it anyhow with Dr. Ken Lyn-Kew, a critical care pulmonologist at National Jewish Health in Denver. Then, they were some of the first Black law students at CU, but their names had been lost to history. Also, local companies, from Denver to Creede, produce top-notch theater. That’s the focus of a new series, which we raise the curtain on today, with Colorado Springs actor Anne Terze-Schwarz.
Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza 2019

Dec. 18, 2025: Deck the halls with ‘Garland’

Today, Colorado muisicians pay homage to Judy Garland, who inspired our annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza. The CPR tradition began after Sr. Host Ryan Warner watched Garland’s 1963 Christmas special. Enjoy covers by Isaac Slade, Neyla Pekarek, Beth Malone, and Ryan himself (cringe).

Dec. 17, 2025: Chances low for a white Christmas on Front Range; Dating apps may have enabled a rapist

A scary puzzle comes together today: We’ve had the warm piece, the dry piece, and now wind. We also ask Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo about the chances for a white Christmas. Plus, Colorado ski resorts rely on human-made snow. Also, women sue a dating app company for allegedly enabling a rapist. Later, Colorado’s state historian on the sesquicentennial. And new holiday music from Denver pianist Annie Booth, with a nod to Charlie Brown.
Marshall Fire flames and smoke rise in grassland between neighborhoods in Superior

Dec. 15, 2025: Tackling Colorado’s rising homeowners’ insurance; A Hanukkah song with a twist

Colorado is in the top ten states for the most expensive homeowners’ insurance, thanks to wildfires and hail. Purplish looks at what can be done to bring the cost down. Then, President Trump says he’s pardoned Tina Peters, even though he lacks the jurisdiction to do so; we’ll discuss the reasoning and what happens next. Plus some Colorado ranchers are frustrated with federal policy. Then, why are so many people in China wearing hats that say Colorado? And Farmer Dave helps us celebrate Hanukkah with a song in Ladino.
COLORADO MATTERS HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA

Farmer Dave celebrates Hanukkah in Ladino

Aurora musician and children’s television host Dave Ladon, aka Farmer Dave, celebrates The Festival of Lights in a language spoken by Sephardic Jews— Ladino, also known as Judeo-Spanish. Ladon performed as part of the 10th annual Colorado Matters Holiday Extravaganza.

Dec. 12, 2025: This artist lost his sight, but not his vision; Author reminds children, ‘you are not alone’

The effort to extend the tax credit for the Affordable Care Act stalls in Congress, so what’s next? Then, President Trump claims he pardoned Tina Peters despite lacking jurisdiction; we revisit the state crimes she was convicted of, and why the prosecutor says it wasn’t political. Plus, a new exhibit at the Denver Art Museum features works exclusively by veterans. Also, Longmont author Ingrid Law shares her new book with kids at the Denver Public Library. And the Local 303 for December highlights “high energy emo revival.”