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.

Nov. 14, 2024: Gov. Polis on ‘safeguarding democracy’; Living artists connect past and present

For the first time since this month’s consequential election, we sit down with Governor Jared Polis, who has just launched a new national project to “safeguard democracy.” We also ask about immigration, U.S. Space Command, and working with the incoming presidential administration. Then, artifacts in glass cases are one way to share history, but History Colorado now incorporates works by living artists — to connect past and present.
Keira Richards is executive director of Trans Contintental Pipeline

Nov. 13, 2024: Trans Continental Pipeline sees surge in requests for help; Avian flu update

Following the election, a Colorado non-profit’s been inundated with requests. The Trans Continental Pipeline helps trans people move to Colorado, where protections are stronger. Then, avian flu was likely more prevalent in Colorado’s dairy workers than first thought; we’ll track the outlook. Plus, another chance to celebrate 20 years of African cuisine. And Chris Pandolfi takes us “Inside the Musician’s Brain.”
WILD HORSE ROUNDUP AT LITTLE BOOK CLIFFS

Nov. 12, 2024: A history of humanity… as told through ‘The Horse’

Without the horse, says historian Tim Winegard, the world would look nothing like it does today. The Colorado Mesa University professor has written, “The Horse: A Galloping History of Humanity.” He joined Sr. Host Ryan Warner on stage in Grand Junction in September for our reading series, “Turn The Page.” They discuss how goods, ideas, and diseases proliferated on horseback. Plus, The Great Manure Crisis?!

Nov. 11, 2024: Veterans chart their ‘next chapter’; The Misty Experiment; Donut Dollies on helping troops

Next Chapter, a pilot program based in El Paso County, aims to reduce veteran suicides. Then, in Vietnam a group of fighter pilots volunteered for a seemingly impossible mission: preventing the delivery of weapons and supplies from the North to the South. Their work is chronicled in the documentary “The Misty Experiment: The Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail.” And, Donut Dollies supported the troops in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.
James Canody of R&R Head Labs and Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner

Nov. 8, 2024: Barbershop built on second chances; Remembering a centenarian who shared her love for skiing

R&R Head Labs is a mission-based barbershop that hires people who were formerly incarcerated and returning veterans. As it marks one year in business, it’s looking to expand. Then, we remember a Valeria Takata, a Colorado centenarian who shared her love for skiing. Plus, Denver’s unique place in U.S. patent history and a Colorado invention makes Shark Tank’s holiday gift guide.
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Nov. 1, 2024: Alien Enemies Act; Seeking Common Ground; Why hurricane forecasts come from Colorado

A swirl of accusations and demands after passwords for election equipment in Colorado appeared online. Then, Donald Trump suggests invoking a centuries-old law to combat a Venezuelan gang in Aurora; the law has a grim history in Colorado though. Plus, ‘Seeking Common Ground’ looks for connections amid division. And why is Colorado the center for the nation’s hurricane forecasting?
A woman in the foreground looks into an open box, filled with electrical equipment, as a man in the background stares up at the gear.

Oct. 30, 2024: Aging in rural Colorado; Tracking evaporation; The science of scares

In rural Colorado, one in five people is over 65. We’ll talk about the challenges of aging in place in a small town, like Rangely, as part of our series, “Aging Matters.” Then, how climate change is changing evaporation, and what researchers are doing to catch up. Plus, the final push for votes in Colorado’s closest congressional race. Also, an electrifying new superhero. And for Halloween, the science behind scares.
Biz McDonalds

Oct. 28, 2024: Food safety after E. coli outbreak; ‘Purplish’ on election security; Denver’s crowded ballot

Colorado officials have eliminated tainted meat as the cause of an E. coli outbreak linked to McDonald’s quarter pounders. That leaves raw onions as the likeliest source. Food safety expert Alice White explains why raw produce is a particular problem. Then, how Colorado secures the vote with “Purplish.” And, in addition to 14 statewide ballot measures, Denver voters have another 12 local ones to decide.