Denver, March 17, 2022 - Colorado Public Radio announced today that Jo Ann Allen, the veteran public radio journalist who has hosted All Things Considered on CPR News since 2015, will retire. Her last broadcast is tomorrow, March 18. Nathan Heffel will host All Things Considered starting Tuesday, March 22.
"I figured I'd have to be dragged out of the newsroom kicking and screaming when the time came to hang up my microphone. But to my pleasant surprise, I am looking forward to spending my time not having to pay close attention to the news every day," said Allen. "I will miss being on the radio and the many friends I've made at CPR. I'm immensely grateful to the listeners of CPR and other public media stations for the support I've been given over the years."
Allen joined CPR News in 2015 with three decades of public radio experience at stations including WNYC (New York), WHYY (Philadelphia), KPBS (San Diego) and Wisconsin Public Radio.
In addition to hosting the afternoon drive on CPR News, she hosts the podcast "Been There Done That," which tells stories of and by the baby-boom generation. Allen will continue to make this podcast, which recently featured interviews with Rachel Maddow and Maria Hinojosa.
"Jo Ann Allen is the quintessential public radio journalist," said Kevin Dale, executive editor of CPR News. "She put her heart and soul into informing the audience every day. She held herself to the highest standards, and she held us to the same high standards. She's a great colleague, and we're really going to miss her."
Nathan Heffel returns to CPR after spending three years working on Colorado Matters from 2015 to 2018. In 2018, he accepted a role at NPR as an editor, then returned to Colorado to manage the radio station The River 95.5/106.3 out of Glenwood Springs. Listeners will recognize Heffel’s voice, as he has been filling in as a host on Colorado Matters and the national news magazines on CPR News for the last nine months.
Prior to 2015, Heffel served as a host and reporter at KUNC in Greeley, Colorado, and held positions at KUVO and KYGO, both Denver stations.
"I'm humbled and honored to be joining Colorado Public Radio again as the host of All Things Considered, following in the footsteps of Jo Ann Allen, an iconic voice of CPR News and such a great friend," said Heffel. "I'm so excited to bring my own touch and flair to guide listeners through the news of the day, be it the weather or breaking news. I hope to be a trusted friend and steady voice every weekday afternoon here on CPR News."
All Things Considered is the most listened-to, afternoon drive-time, news radio program in the country, and it airs on CPR News weekdays from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The show features broadcasts, stories and reports from reporters throughout the United States and the world, interspersed with local newscasts and stories. The program celebrated its 50th anniversary last year.
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About Colorado Public Radio
Colorado Public Radio is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization delivering meaningful news, music, and cultural experiences to everyone in Colorado using the power of the human voice in all its forms. Roughly 95 percent of CPR’s funds come from the private support of listeners, businesses and foundations. For more information, visit www.cpr.org.
- CPR News delivers in-depth, insightful and impartial news and information from around the world, across the nation and throughout Colorado, examining its relevance to our state and connecting it to our community.
- CPR Classical takes listeners on an in-depth exploration of thoughtfully curated music – with an emphasis on Colorado’s classical community – providing context to a broad range of meaningful and compelling works from past to present.
- Indie 102.3 takes listeners inside the world of new and independent music – exposing them to up-and-coming artists and highlighting Colorado’s local music scene.
- Denverite is an online news source dedicated to Denver's curious and concerned.
- KRCC is a public radio station in Colorado Springs, Colorado, serving Southern Colorado. KRCC is operated by Colorado Public Radio in partnership with Colorado College.
