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

Gov. Hickenlooper Backs Raising The Legal Age For Buying Assault Weapons

John Hickenlooper supports raising the age for purchase of assault weapons and allowing judges to issue temporary restraining orders to keep people from having guns if there’s reason to believe they might pose a danger. We talk about inviting conservative voices to liberal campuses as Ann Coulter speaks at CU-Boulder tonight. And we meet Jim Howard, a fashion illustrators and the focus of a new exhibition at the Denver Museum of Art.

Do Schools Or Lawmakers Have Role In Helping To Prevent Teen Suicide?

Suicide is the leading cause of death among young people in Colorado, but lawmakers can’t agree on what to do about it. Then, while reporting on sexual harassment at the Capitol, we discovered lawmakers’ aides and interns aren’t allowed to talk to reporters. Then, Denver chef Jesse Vega talks about helping to feed Hurricane Maria survivors in Puerto Rico. And, hear about the new Center for Colorado Women’s History at Byers-Evans House Museum.

What Happens To The Denver Post And Its Readers After More Newsroom Layoffs?

There was a lot of hope for newsroom stability — and more state news coverage — when The Denver Post started asking online readers to pay for content earlier this year. But last week the paper announced more layoffs. How do hedge funds profit from their ownership? Also, veterans in Colorado Springs struggle to find health care, even with new federal laws that are supposed to help. And, trees make sounds our ears don’t usually pick up.

Searching For Truth In Political Harassment Investigations

A lawmaker — expelled for sexual harassment. It sounds a lot like recent events in Colorado. In fact, the same thing happened in Arizona. An investigator in the case talks about hunting for the truth in such a political workplace. Satellites are so critical that the military has a new unit to protect them from enemy attack. And, the Museum of Contemporary Art – Denver has a new lending library. Not books — art!

Gardner Worries About ‘Constitutional Rights’ In The Gun Violence Debate

Sen. Gardner spoke at length about ideas to end gun violence, insisted the North Korea nuclear talks be based on concrete and verifiable steps, and restated his opposition to steel and aluminum tariffs. Then Rep. Lamborn raises eyebrows over pot research rules, Philip Anschutz talks about his new book “Where The West Begins,” and we hear about why scientists believe we’re one step closer to understanding the Big Bang.

Should Colorado Bid To Host The Winter Olympics? Meet The Opposition

The NOlympic committee is seeking a ballot initiative to ask voters if they want to host the Winter Olympics. Mona Kline talks about surviving the Grover Cleveland Elementary School shooting in San Diego. We followed up with your questions after a story about letting judges temporarily take guns away from people who appear to be a threat. And the annual crane festival is back this weekend at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge.

Can’t Afford A Meal? Stop In At The SAME Cafe

There’s a cafe on East Colfax in Denver with an unusual approach to combating hunger, and it’s new leader plans on growing the model. Then, the story of Bobo’s bars. An FCC crackdown brings a curtain of silence down on Colorado pirate radio stations. And Boulder’s Tom Wasinger turns from producing others’ records to recording one of his own.

Why Lawmakers’ ‘Hearts And Minds’ Changed About Sexual Harassment

Rep. Faith Winter reflects on attitudes about sexual harassment at the Colorado Capitol, and what may come next. Then, Dr. Larry Wolk, the head of Colorado’s public health department and E.R. Dr. Emmy Betz talk about gun violence research. Joshua Dunn, a conservative professor at CU’s Colorado Springs campus, talks about the experience of like-minded academics. And, the 10-year-old Epic Pass has a new rival. What does that mean for skiers?