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

Academic Standards Debate, Young Climate Change Crusader, Gay Games, Directing Theatre From A Wheelchair

A part-time professor at Community College of Aurora complained that a recent change in the school’s curriculum made some classes too easy. He says he was fired because of it, but the school says he was dismissed because he didn’t implement the curriculum effectively. Then, a 16-year-old from Boulder sued the government for not doing more to stop climate change. Also, Denver is vying to host the Gay Games, a major sporting and cultural event for the LGBT community. And, Denver’s Phamaly Theater Company features actors with disabilities. Its new artistic director is believed to be the only person in a wheelchair leading a major U.S. theater group.

Sanctuary Cities Under Trump, Know Your Skier Liability, Smart Tech Coming To I-70, Colorado’s Newest CoverGirl

Donald Trump says there will be consequences for communities that don’t fully cooperate with Federal immigration officials. CPR’s Vic Vela reports on what that could mean for places like Denver and Aurora. Then, we talk liability on the slopes — recently a snowboarder was ordered to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for running into a skier. Plus, a stretch of I-70 between Golden and Vail could soon become “smart.” What the in-road sensors could mean for traffic to the mountains. And CoverGirl’s new mascara model hails from Colorado. She’s also the first to wear a hijab.

Amendment T’s Demise, Medical ‘Miracles,’ A Fix For Wet Electronics

Why the ballot effort to eliminate the legal slavery reference from the state constitution went down in defeat. Also, a Colorado pediatrician asked physicians for stories about unforgettable patient recoveries and collected them in a new book. Then, some Colorado entrepreneurs have developed a machine that dries waterlogged electronics. Staples stores across the country have bought the machines and are offering the service to customers.

Hickenlooper On A Trump Administration, Ski Forecast, Protecting Elephants And Rhinos

In our first interview with John Hickenlooper since Donald Trump’s election, the governor says if he had Trump’s ear he’d urge caution in healthcare, immigration, trade and the nation’s power supply. Also, where does the governor find promise in a Trump administration? Then, Joel Gratz has been called “Snowstradamus.” He’s the founder of the popular snow forecasting website OpenSnow. We get a preview of ski season. Plus, in Nepal elephants trample rice crops, which is what people eat, so the animals are often shot. A Colorado zookeeper may have a way to save the crops — and the elephants. Hint: it involves bees. And, a Thanksgiving recipe from U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet.

‘Vindication’ For Moses-EL, How To Listen At Thanksgiving, And Truths About Water In The West

This’ll be the first Thanksgiving in almost 30 years that Clarence Moses-EL won’t spend in prison. The Denver man was just cleared of a crime he always said he didn’t commit. Then, for those who are about to see relatives for the first time since the election, and dread talking with them about politics, we ask the founder of StoryCorps for tips on asking and listening, even when you hate what you hear. And the Colorado River faces more stresses than ever, like population growth and climate change, but instead of fighting, some Western states are working together to save water, and avoid federally mandated cutbacks.

Satellite Takes Weather Forecasting To New Level, Verse Gives Voice To Chinese Immigrants, Clyfford Still Museum

Weather forecasts in the United States are expected to get a lot better thanks to a new satellite made in Colorado. Engineers at Lockheed Martin spent eight years building it. The launch is scheduled for Saturday, and the satellite could help forecasters save lives during severe weather. Then, in the early 1900s, Chinese immigrants held in an American detention center wrote poetry on the walls to pass the time. Decades later, the writing inspires a Denver poet, an immigrant herself. Plus, an entire museum dedicated to a single artist opened five years ago in Denver. What do the next five years hold for the Clyfford Still Museum? And, public radio mainstay “A Prairie Home Companion” comes to Colorado. A conversation with the show’s new host, mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile.

The First Woman On Colorado’s Highest Court, Motorcycle Daredevil Evil Cheesey, A 10-Year-Old On ‘Shark Tank’

A new biography traces Jean Dubofsky’s journey from “Betty Crocker Homemaker of Tomorrow” to the first female justice of the Colorado Supreme Court and then to a leading role in a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case. Then, a film about motorcycle daredevil, and Boulder legend, Evil Cheesey. And the Colorado 10-year-old who just made a winning pitch on “Shark Tank” to expand his lemonade business. Plus, a scientist who’s bathing toads to save their lives.

The Future Of Immigration Reform, The Hidden Brain

The number of people in Colorado — without legal immigration status — is about 200,000, according to the Pew Research Center. People who are in the country illegally came under great scrutiny during President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign, and his message resonates with many of his supporters. Now that he’s won, these immigrants’ lives stand to change. Also, your brain has an autopilot function, that directs you even when you’re not aware. NPR’s social science correspondent, Shankar Vedantam tells how a man from Colorado, Derek Amato, convinced his mom that he’d become a piano savant.

What’s Ahead For Cannabis Industry In CO, Bernie Sanders Supporters Say ‘I Told You So,’ CU Engineer Helps With ‘Mars’ Miniseries

Colorado used to have a corner on the recreational marijuana market but more states have now followed suit, so where does the state’s industry go from here? Then, Bernie Sanders supporters in Colorado say there needs to be change within the Democratic Party following Hillary Clinton’s loss. And a University of Colorado engineer was tasked with making a new sci-fi miniseries about Mars as real as possible. Plus, regular contributor Doug Duncan chats about Monday’s Supermoon.

Veterans Day Special: ‘Where Heroes Rest,’ An Essay On God And War, Korean War Battle Film

On this Veterans Day, story of veterans from World War II to Iraq and Afghanistan. We learn about those buried in foreign graves at American-run cemeteries in places like France and Italy. Also, a Marine from the San Luis Valley fought in one of the worst battles of the Korean War– thousands of U.S. soldiers died. And, an essay from a Colorado Vietnam War veteran about the day he stopped believing in God. Plus, how cycling helps veterans of the “War on Terror” heal.

Colorado Election Wrap: Trump And Clinton Backers, How Clinton Won Colorado, Legislative Races, Ballot Issues

Donald Trump supporters applaud his plans to end Obamacare, reform immigration and rework trade agreements. A Clinton supporter who’s spent 50 years in Democratic politics says no election has made her fear for the country — until now. Republican and Democratic analysts agree Hillary Clinton’s strength in Denver’s suburbs led her to statewide victory. Republicans and Democrats will likely continue to split control of the legislature. An end-of-life measure and minimum wage hike win statewide approval. Boulder voters approve a tax on sugary drinks, while Denver’s marijuana measure is too close to call.