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

Cheating In Sports, What’s Behind Public Art, And The Local Ingredients You Can And Can’t Get In Colorado

Cheating threatens the soul of sports, according to CU Boulder’s Roger Pielke, Jr., who founded the school’s new Sports Governance Center, created to tackle issues like doping, sex testing for athletes, and whether prosthetics give athletes with disabilities an advantage. Pielke joins us ahead of the Summer Olympics in Rio. Then, we asked listeners what pieces of public art they’d like to know more about, and that led us to the giants hearts on display in Loveland. And, peach season got us thinking about what local ingredients Colorado chefs can and can’t get.

Colorado Group Travels To Pray For Government Leaders, Alzheimer’s Film “If Not Now,” Hickenlooper Takes Convention Stage, The Pueblo Band Haunted Windchimes

The “Pray For American Bus Tour,” sponsored by a Colorado Springs group, went to both political conventions to encourage prayers for government leaders. And, a short film looks at the toll Alzheimer’s takes on families. Plus, backers of Colorado’s universal healthcare initiative want Bernie Sanders’ help. Then, colleagues assess Gov. John Hickenlooper’s national ambitions as he speaks to the Democratic National Convention. And, the debate over whether students need parents’ permission to meet with school board members. Plus, music by the Haunted Windchimes crosses genres.

Sex Trafficking Documentary, Third Parties Seek Spotlight, Olympic Cycling Coach

A documentary on sex trafficking includes a Denver woman who was exploited by a teacher. Then, as former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb asks for unity at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, third parties in Colorado try to capitalize on major party discord to gain voters. And, an Olympic cycling coach who trains his athletes from afar. Plus, a 2012 interview with the late Colorado State University professor Tom Sutherland, a former Iranian hostage.

DNC Email Leak, A Longtime Convention Goer, Dream Delivery Service, Cadet’s Olympic Hopes

Bernie Sanders speaks Monday night at the Democratic National Convention as Colorado delegates Joe Salazar, who backs Bernie Sanders, and Polly Baca, who backs Clinton, consider the fallout from the weekend WikiLeaks scandal. Then, this will be Clinton supporter Polly Baca’s 14th convention. She grew up in Greeley and says adversity led her to politics. We also hear from the first Air Force cadet to qualify for the Olympics. And, a Denver poet delivers “dreams” at doorsteps in the wee hours of the morning. Plus, listener feedback in Loud and Clear.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper Veepstakes Plus Gun Laws And Race, Listeners Weigh In On Police Shootings, Inside Baseball About Sports Metaphors

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper is trying to diagnose voter anger this year, and it’s a topic he’ll speak about at the upcoming Democratic National Convention. Then, we asked listeners for their thoughts on the recent string of police-related shootings. And, a Denver author is “on deck” and we’ll go to the mat to talk about a new book on sports metaphors.

Comings And Goings Of Pot Taxes, Darryl Glenn’s RNC Speech, Buying An Entire Town, Genesis Of Turtle Shells

Some people think the state is “swimming” in pot revenue, but it’s not, according to the Colorado Fiscal Institute. A look into what comes in and where it goes. An excerpt of Darryl Glenn’s Monday night speech at the Republican National Convention. Glenn is running for U.S. Senate in Colorado. A man posted an ad on Craigslist to sell a ghost town east of Denver. But who would buy an entire town? The owner of Hillside, Colorado shares his motivation. A researcher at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science explains the surprising reason why turtles grew shells. And an “immersive theater experience” in Denver.

A First-Time Republican Delegate; Concealed Carry Rules; Collection Of Spiritual Recordings; Blind Veteran With Vision For Art

He just graduated high school, and now 18-year-old Joel Crank of Colorado Springs is a delegate to this week’s Republican National Convention. He supported Ted Cruz, but he’ll back the party’s presidential nominee. Also, what to do when concealed carry permit holders get pulled over by police. Then, she started with a tape recorder 30 years ago, and now Tami Simon runs a multi-million dollar audio publishing house in Louisville. “Sounds True” brings spiritual thinkers to big audiences. Plus, an artist and veteran – who lost his eyesight – lives by the motto “A man with a vision is never truly blind.”

Colorado Animal Scientist Says Slaughterhouses Are Becoming More Humane; Women Take Shakespeare Fest Leads

Livestock that are headed to slaughter have an ally in Colorado State University scientist Temple Grandin, who has spent her career trying to make their lives, and deaths, better. Grandin says her autism helps in that work. Then, women weren’t on stage in Shakespeare’s day. But they take the lead in a new production of “The Comedy of Errors” at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival.

Colorado Republican Delegates Are Divided; Remembering Former Sen. Bill Armstrong; Day Trips For Beer, Hikes, History

On the eve of the Republican National Convention, Colorado delegate Kendal Unruh leads a move to dump Donald Trump, while state GOP chair Steve House backs the party’s presumptive presidential nominee. Then, a former staffer remembers the late U.S. Sen Bill Armstrong, who died July 5. And, Denver author Ed Sealover’s “Colorado Excursions With History, Hikes and Hops,” offers trips that combine a historical site, natural site and drinking site in a single day.

Democratic Convention Preview, Air Tanker Slurry, Fort Collins Rapper, “Finding” Abbey

After a contentious primary, Democratic leaders hope their convention later this month in Philadelphia will unite the party. We speak with two Colorado DNC delegates from Colorado, one firmly “with” Hillary Clinton and the other who’s sticking with Bernie Sanders. Then, as wildfires rage across the state, what’s in the “slurry” being dumped in the Boulder foothills to help beat back the fires. Also, the search for Edward Abbey and his desert grave. And, Fort Collins hip-hop artist Qbala has found her voice on issues like race, sexuality and gender.

A Reflection On Voting For Iraq War, Co-Housing In Colo., Mid-Mod All The Rage, Baby Doe Opera

A scathing assessment of the Iraq War came out of the U.K. this week. It said the invasion “left families bereaved and individuals wounded.” Former U.S. Senator from Colorado Ben Nighthorse Campbell reflects on his vote to wage war. There’s a co-housing boom along the Front Range, where people share meals and socialize, but live in their own homes. And mid-century modern design is all the rage in southeast Denver’s Krisana Park. Many residents wants to preserve this mid-mod character. And Central City Opera presents a 60th anniversary production of an opera about Baby Doe Tabor.