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

Biz McDonalds
Colorado Matters

Oct. 28, 2024: Food safety after E. coli outbreak; ‘Purplish’ on election security; Denver’s crowded ballot

Colorado officials have eliminated tainted meat as the cause of an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s quarter pounders. That leaves raw onions as the likeliest source. Food safety expert Alice White explains why raw produce is a particular problem. Then, how Colorado secures the vote with “Purplish.” And, in addition to 14 statewide ballot measures, Denver voters have another 12 local ones to decide.
By Ryan Warner
FOLDING-BICYCLE
Colorado Matters

Oct. 23, 2024: Ukrainian family rebuilds life in Colorado; Carbon-friendly hotel takes root

When Russia invaded Ukraine, a young couple fled the home they’d just bought in Kiev with their three young children. Now they’re living in Colorado and running a bike shop, but they don’t know how long they can stay. Then, a new hotel in Denver hopes to minimize its carbon footprint well beyond its walls. Plus, a Colorado startup offers haunted rail rides for Halloween. And reimagining the oldest continuously-run business in Colorado.
By Ryan Warner
Mike Nelson and a giant green screen in Denver7's studio. May 24, 2022.
Colorado Matters

Hot and dry here, hurricanes there

From hot and dry Colorado, we’ve watched as hurricanes blast Florida and the southeast. In our regular discussion with Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson, we add climatological context to the extreme weather we’re experiencing, and witnessing.
By Ryan Warner
Jeff Crank and River Gassen
Colorado Matters

Oct. 9, 2024: Space Force, defense spending and the deficit – meet the candidates vying for CD5

Voters in the state’s 5th Congressional District, which includes Colorado Springs, have something on the ballot they haven’t seen since 2006 — an open Congressional seat. Today, we hear from the major party candidates: Republican Jeff Crank, a former political consultant and talk radio host; and Democrat River Gassen, a science lecturer and graduate research assistant at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, who is a political newcomer.
By Ryan Warner