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.

Artist Jordan Casteel Finds Connection With The People She Paints

he latest issue of Time magazine features a work of art, a mother holding her daughter. It’s titled “God Bless the Child” by Jordan Casteel, who’s from Denver. It’s part of a special project from Time called “Visions of Equity.” Casteel uses art to understand individual people, as well as her own experience. It’s something Ryan spoke with her about in 2019 before her big debut at the Denver Art Museum.

‘Kitchen Shelf’ Rekindles Memories Of ‘Leaving It To Lily’

The other day we told you that the first Thai restaurant in the U.S. opened in Denver in the early 1960s. Lily Chittivej was the proprietor of Chada Thai. Our story knocked some memories loose for listener Irene Clurman, of Evergreen. She recalls eating at Chada in the 70s. Plus, some good news for food historian Holly Arnold Kinney about her dog-eaten cookbook!

An Epistolary Friendship Blooms During The Pandemic

The pandemic has kept people apart. It has exacerbated political divisions. But it’s also been a chance to find connection. When Colorado went on lockdown, authors Amy Irvine and Pam Houston began corresponding with an email ritual focused on place, politics, and the pandemic. Their letters, are collected in the book “Air Mail.”

May 10, 2021: Policing & Dementia; Expanding Arts For Kids Of Color

An incident in Loveland involving a woman with dementia highlights the need for police training and awareness. Then, a ranch that’s become a cultural flashpoint. Also, Denver arts educator Ilaseia Gray on her experiences as a Black actress and her hope to expand the arts for children of color. And a Colorado singer’s make-or-break moment on “The Voice.”
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May 7, 2021: Film Explores COVID & Aurora ICE Facility; Thai Food’s On ‘The Kitchen Shelf’

A new film examines what the pandemic’s been like inside the ICE facility in Aurora. Then, pandemic infighting in Douglas County. Also, Purplish looks at where some of the biggest bills of the session stand now, including transportation, guns and climate change. Plus, cooking up Thai food and local history in “The Kitchen Shelf.” And, musician Rachel Baiman.
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Celebrating Pandemic Excellence At Tandoori Kitchen

The pandemic hit hospitality workers especially hard, and in the past year, we’ve told many of their stories — of layoffs, reduced hours and COVID fears. Now, we’re taking time to celebrate service people who’ve brought customers a little bit of light in dark times. Bruce Rosard, of Boulder, wrote in to tell us about the royal treatment he gets at an Indian restaurant in Lafayette, Tandoori Kitchen, and most notably the kindness of Raj Gautam, whose parents started the business.