Ryan Warner

Colorado Matters Senior Host

@CPRWarner[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.

Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at a podium on the South Lawn of the White House at a navy podium with the President of the United States seal on front with two mics attached. Behind her are 11 visible college athlete. The White House is barely visible behind the students.
Colorado Matters

July 26, 2024: Advocate says Harris is energizing women voters; A hot, dry summer continues

Stubborn heat will be with us for a while. Today, our regular chat about weather and climate with Denver7’s Mike Nelson and why the Front Range is so prone to heat and smog. Then, a prominent Black political organizer on how women are rallying around Kamala Harris. Plus, a player talks about rebuilding Team USA’s 3X3 Men’s Basketball just in time for the Olympics. Also, why some books and authors are more likely to be banned. And Marble welcomes rock sculptors.
By Ryan Warner
AFRICAN GRILL AND BAR
Colorado Matters

July 23, 2024: Bennet hopeful as Harris gains support; African Grill serves fufu, jollof rice and big smiles

Colorado’s top Democrats are lining up behind Vice President Kamala Harris after Joe Biden announced he’s leaving the presidential race. That includes U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, who joined Ryan Warner in-studio Monday afternoon. Then, African Grill in Lakewood cooks up 20 years of cuisine, culture, and camaraderie. Later, ensuring a pivotal moment in Colorado and U.S. history is not forgotten, nor repeated.
By Ryan Warner
Colorado Matters

July 22, 2024: A Colorado DNC delegate looks forward; Former Olympian on eating disorders, body image

Colorado’s top Democrats have high hopes for Kamala Harris. We speak with Erik Clarke, a delegate from Denver who’ll be at the convention, about the path ahead. Then, as he marks one year in office, is Denver Mayor Mike Johnston fulfilling his campaign promises? And a former Olympian, in recovery from an eating disorder, has advice for commentators and spectators.
By Ryan Warner
A crowd of people facing away from the camera with a few holding up TRUMP VANCE signs.
Colorado Matters

July 19, 2024: What a week in Milwaukee tells us about the GOP; We invented a holiday. 719 Day!

With Donald Trump’s first post-assassination speech, the Republican National Convention is a wrap. There was much to learn away from the main stage this week, says University of Denver political scientist Seth Masket. Then, we celebrate Southern Colorado with 719 Day! And Denver is home to one of the country’s only treatment centers for elite athletes with eating disorders.
By Ryan Warner
A crowd of people facing away from the camera with a few holding up TRUMP VANCE signs.
Colorado Matters

What a Colorado political scientist learned about the GOP in Milwaukee this week

Step away from the main stage of the Republican National Convention, and there was much to learn about today’s Republican party. That is what Seth Masket did. The University of Denver political scientist speaks with us from Milwaukee after interviewing delegates, and discussing their work with local parties. Masket’s Substack, Tusk, is a kind of first draft of a book he is working on.
By Ryan Warner
Colorado Matters

July 17, 2024: Democratic voters on Biden’s future; A flight to figure out smog; A divine piano

As Republicans move forward with Donald Trump as their nominee, Democrats remain in disarray over their presidential pick. CPR’s public affairs team has been listening to Coloradans. We’ll share what they’ve heard. Then, the political divide inspired a Denver man to visit every U.S. county. Plus, researchers go airborne to get a better grasp on summer smog. And how one particular piano inspired Lumineer Jeremiah Fraites.
By Ryan Warner
Election 2024 Trump

July 15, 2024: RNC delegate hopes for unity; Author blends Chinese and Mexican identities

From Washington, CPR’s Caitlyn Kim has reaction to the weekend’s political violence. Then, former Colorado gubernatorial candidate Heidi Ganahl shares her hopes as she attends the Republican National Convention. Plus, author Cara Lopez Lee taps her family’s complex and diverse history to write “Candlelight Bridge.” Also, a new law helps teens involved in the justice system. Finally, a carousel ride returns to the Cheyenne  Mountain Zoo.
By Ryan Warner