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.

Spring gardening tips from Phelan Gardens in Colorado Springs

March 19, 2025: Fighting violent crime in Pueblo; From plants to pests, spring gardening questions answered!

The big city with the highest violent crime rate in Colorado is Pueblo. But they’ve managed to get their murder rate down by cracking down on other offenses. Then, the lure of spring gardening is upon us! Ryan goes to a greenhouse in Colorado Springs to answer listener questions, from plants to pests. Plus, new poetry from Robin Walter, a CSU professor. And “The Middle” comes to Colorado to talk about energy.
CLIMAX MOLYBDENUM MINING JOBS

March 17, 2025: Mining politics and policy; It’s crunch time at the state Capitol

From molybdenum to lithium, modern life depends on chemicals. But what the U.S. mines is rarely processed here. We’ll get perspective on how mining could change under the Trump administration amid rare bipartisan agreement. Then, it’s crunch time for state lawmakers as the session reaches the halfway point; Purplish looks at the big issues that still need to be resolved, including a balanced budget. Plus, it’s a buyer’s market in metro Denver.
Morgan Bazilian poses for a photo wearing a blue sweater over a blue dress shirt.

What a new administration means for mining

Mining policy is likely to change under a new Trump Administration, though perhaps not by as much as would be expected. Morgan Bazilian, a Colorado School of Mines professor and director of the Payne Institute of Public Policy, says a bipartisan effort to boost mining in America was already underway.

March 14, 2025: Wage theft investigation at Denver strip clubs; Step into a storied room at The Brown Palace

They’re being charged… to work. At two Denver strip clubs, employees of all kinds are victims of wage theft, according to an investigation by the city. The clubs say they’re being unfairly targeted. Then, President Trump plans to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 as part of his deportation plan. The law has a dark history in Colorado. Plus, transparency in state government, The Brown Palace’s place in the 1911 Chinese revolution, and Avourneen celebrates St. Patrick’s Day!

March 12, 2025: ‘Wind phones’ provide unique connection; Turning to town halls for answers, accountability

Russ Young of Littleton, speaks to his late wife in a garden, on a phone that’s not connected to anything. It’s known as a wind phone, a unique way to cope with grief. Then, Coloradans are turning to town halls for answers and accountability from their congressmembers. Later, a Colorado researcher’s groundbreaking research that shows being gay is not a mental illness. And later, a Denver chef will be cooking on TV!
Rep. Jenny Wilford stands at a lectern in the capitol foyer, with fellow lawmakers standing around her holding signs supporting the bill

March 10, 2025: Pursuit of justice for sex assault survivors amid case backlog; Forests out of carbon balance

Survivors of sexual assault in Colorado often wait more than a year and a half for DNA results in their cases. Without results, criminal investigations may stall. Purplish looks at how state lawmakers hope to fix this problem. Then, the Justice Department examines the conviction of former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters. And why are Colorado’s forests emitting more carbon than they take in? Plus, tracking illicit drugs through wastewater.
Paula Stone Williams

March 7, 2025: Life as a trans woman under the Trump administration; The sandhill cranes are back!

In the eyes of the Trump Administration, trans people do not exist. The president signed an executive order declaring, in part, “it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female.” Reality is more nuanced than that. We get perspective from Rev. Paula Stone Williams, a pastor, therapist, and mayor pro tem of Lyons, Colorado. Then, the sandhill cranes return this weekend to the San Luis Valley. Plus, how USDA cuts are affecting Colorado.
Paula Stone Williams

On being trans under Trump 2.0

Speaker, pastor, therapist, and Colorado elected official Paula Stone Williams discusses her experiences as a trans woman under the new administration. Shortly after taking office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order declaring that trans people do not exist. Williams, mayor pro tem of Lyons, is the author of “As a Woman: What I Learned about Power, Sex, and the Patriarchy after I Transitioned.”
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March 5, 2025: What doctors are watching for 5 years after the first case of COVID; Colorado’s Lunar Outpost

Colorado confirmed its first COVID case 5 years ago. Today, vaccination rates are flagging, and so are investments in our health. We’ll get a check-up on COVID and what doctors are watching for now. Then, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston testifies in Washington, D.C. about so-called sanctuary cities and immigration. Plus, a Colorado company’s about to make history on the Moon in more ways than one. And, Colorado Wonders about the state’s sugar beet industry.
side profile of man

Feb. 28, 2025: Rep. Jeff Hurd on DOGE cuts, Medicaid and BLM; Do boycotts make a difference?

U.S. Rep. Jeff Hurd, (R) answers questions about DOGE, possible Medicaid cuts, relocating the BLM, and the fact that people close to the president have made what appear to be Nazi salutes. Then, boycotts in the digital age. Also, a Colorado Wonders question about property taxes. And a Denver filmmaker is up for an Oscar for “Anuja,” his film about sisterly love amid the trappings of child labor.