Ryan Warner

Colorado Matters Senior Host

@CPRWarner[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.

Virus Outbreak Holiday Travel

May 10, 2023: Case claims ‘Kansas Two-Step’ targets Colorado drivers; Wildfire outlook

A trial is underway that could put a stop to a law enforcement tactic known as the “Kansas Two-Step,” which appears to target people from states where cannabis is legal. Then, a wildfire season preview. And as climate change and overuse parch the Colorado River, how’s this for a solution? Bring in water from another river– like the Mississippi. CPR’s podcast “Parched” explores that idea.

An extraordinary bloom looms at Denver Botanic Gardens

Clippings from a rose bush at Colorado’s Camp Amache are now in the ground at Denver Botanic Gardens. Buds and blooms could come soon. Kelly Takaya King, whose father was incarcerated at Amache, visited the Gardens’ Steppe Collection all the way from Maui. We were there for her moving meeting with horticulurist Mike Bone.
20230423-TOWNHOME-HOUSING-CONSTRUCTION

April 28, 2023: Polis vows to limit impact of property tax increases; Supreme Court ethics

Governor Jared Polis says he’ll work to limit the impact of property tax increases, and will continue to push for housing density across Colorado to increase affordability. Then, a Supreme Court justice from Colorado sold a mountain property to a prominent lawyer. We speak with the investigative reporter at Politico who broke this story about ethics on the nation’s highest court. And “My Story So Far” reflects on life after the Marshall Fire.
Helen Forster eTown

April 21, 2023: eTown’s mission of music and eco-mindedness; Mosquitoes are our deadliest predator

From a converted church in Boulder, a radio show and podcast beams out live music and eco-conscious conversation. Nick Forster is co-host of eTown. For Earth Day, we’ll talk musical legends, climate change and everyday environmental heroes. Then, Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Mike Nelson on fire danger and spring runoff. Plus, what to know about mosquitos. And new music from “Kathleen.”

April 14, 2023: Where is the war in Ukraine headed? We ask foreign policy experts in Colorado Springs

When Russia invaded Ukraine, many thought the war would only last a few days. Now, just over a year later, there’s no end in sight, and the role of outside influencers, like China, is evolving. This week, the World Affairs Council in Colorado Springs gathered experts to offer context. CPR’s Southern Colorado Reporter Dan Boyce moderated the discussion.