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

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
Colorado Matters

Oct. 4, 2024: Peters’ sentencing not a panacea; Delta dining gem

When Tina Peters was sentenced to prison, Matt Crane was in the courtroom. He leads the the Colorado County Clerks Association and joins us to talk about election integrity. Then, how Lauren Boebert’s departure has changed the political landscape in Colorado’s 3rd congressional district. Plus, discover a dining gem in Delta. And the Colorado Symphony’s new music director has a global vision for the orchestra.
By Ryan Warner
Colorado Matters

In Delta, ‘the little restaurant that could’

A&M Creations on Main Street in Delta keeps getting named best in the county. Spouses Manny Sena and Alena Windedahl-Simms grew up in the area, worked in food service and opened their own joint. They blend comfort food and innovative ingredients and flavors, which is why Grand Junction Daily Sentinel food writer Christine Gallagher drives out of her way to savor their menu.
By Ryan Warner
Colorado Matters

Sept. 30, 2024: Aurora neighborhood copes with neglect and national attention; Tour a historic clock tower

Residents of Aurora’s Delmar Parkway neighborhood say they’ve coped with violence for years but nobody noticed until a viral video put the area at the center of the nation’s immigration debate. Then, Denver abandons plans to demolish homes and rebuild a highway ramp. Also, a high school class studies the election. And, touring a historic clock tower.
By Ryan Warner
Colorado Matters

Sept. 27, 2024: Ten years on, MAVEN is teaching scientists about Mars; Re-envisioning Hamlet

The University of Colorado leads the MAVEN project to study Mars’ volatile atmosphere with the hope of helping human exploration there. Then, Pamela Friend was in a cradle the first time her parents took her to the drive-in they owned in Montrose. Decades later, Friend is still popping the popcorn and running the projector. And, a new take on “Hamlet” from the Denver Center Theater Company.
By Ryan Warner
Photo shows an isolated country road leading into changing fall foliage at the La Garita Wilderness area in southwest Colorado.
Colorado Matters

Sept. 20, 2024: Rain, snow and fall colors; Roots of Tren de Aragua

The first day of fall is Sunday. In our regular chat with Denver7 chief meteorologist Mike Nelson, we take stock of a record-hot summer, changing leaves, and what’s ahead for winter. Then, the origins of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which has thrust Aurora into the national spotlight. Later, for “Girls in Aviation Day”, and encore with pioneering pilot M’Lis Ward.
By Ryan Warner
Migrant sugar beet farm workers play baseball in this 1937 photo in northern Colorado.
Colorado Matters

Sept. 18, 2024: Rep. Crow on Secret Service, candidate safety; Beet field baseball

Colorado Rep. Jason Crow says the Secret Service is spread thin heading into the general election. Crow is on the task force investigating the assassination attempt of former president Donald Trump in Pennsylvania. Then, people whose lives have changed because of Denver Basic Income. Then, preserving the legacy of the Sugar Beet League in Colorado. Plus, Colorado Wonders about the state’s welcome sign, and Avourneen celebrates 10 years!
By Ryan Warner