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Colorado Matters

Colorado Public Radio
Colorado
Denver
Climate Change
Donald Trump
Tina Peters
Trump Administration
Aging
Mental Health
Kwanzaa
ICE
HIV
Lung Cancer
Colorado Springs
Trust In Media
Denver International Airport
Christmas
Aging With HIV
Gambling
Penitence
Colorado Politics

Hosted by Ryan Warner and Chandra Thomas Whitfield, CPR News' daily interview show focuses on the state's people, issues and ideas.

PublishesDailyEpisodes2388Founded20 years ago
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Daily NewsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for Colorado Matters

Latest Episodes

Do the math, and this summer's been a sizzler in Colorado and nationwide. We look back, and forward, with Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo. Then, the long restoration of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon after wildfire and floods. Plus, the reason... more

Dementia is not limited to people. Dogs get it too. Breakthroughs for one species may benefit another. Andrea Dukakis visits a canine lab at Colorado State University for our series Aging Matters. Then, if you're 65 or older, NPR wants you to take on... more

The San Luis Valley grows many of Colorado’s potatoes, barley and wheat. But there's another crop that could help farmers weather the drought. We'll explore the Rye Resurgence Project. Then, rideshare companies have new rules they have to follow in C... more

Republicans in Colorado are divided over their gubernatorial nominee Victor Marx and over the party's general direction. Then, did White House officials brainstorm ways to punish Colorado? Also, Molson Coors reimagines its coal mine in Keenesburg as ... more

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Recent Guests

Rick Vigil
Filmmaker, Down to Earth Media, storyteller of the San Luis Valley
Down to Earth Media
Episode: August 7, 2026: Investigating law enforcement's hiring practices; A sense of place in the San Luis Valley
Chris Vygasky
Meteorologist, National Lightning Safety Council
National Lightning Safety Council
Episode: August 7, 2026: Investigating law enforcement's hiring practices; A sense of place in the San Luis Valley
Arlo Perez-Escobel
Historian/guest presenter on Purplish podcast segment
History Colorado
Episode: August 6, 2026: Colorado's political history filled with firsts amid attempted setbacks; Colorado River water plan
Been to Berkland
Historian/analyst featured in interview segments
Colorado History/CAP Alliance
Episode: August 6, 2026: Colorado's political history filled with firsts amid attempted setbacks; Colorado River water plan
Shawn Boyd
Curator of archives, politics and government at History Colorado
History Colorado
Episode: August 6, 2026: Colorado's political history filled with firsts amid attempted setbacks; Colorado River water plan
Jennifer Bacon
House Assistant Minority Leader, Colorado
Colorado Legislature
Episode: August 6, 2026: Colorado's political history filled with firsts amid attempted setbacks; Colorado River water plan
Amy Marshak
Interactive poet
Poetry in the Parks
Episode: August 6, 2026: Colorado's political history filled with firsts amid attempted setbacks; Colorado River water plan
Roy Romer
Former Governor of Colorado (1987-1999)
Former Governor of Colorado
Episode: August 5, 2026: At age 97, Roy Romer says he's humbled as he reflects on Colorado, state of politics today
Dr. Reiland Rabaka
Professor of African, African American and Caribbean Studies at the University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder
Episode: August 4, 2026: Celebrating 5 years with 'The Cause' at CU Boulder with music that helped shape history

Hosts

Chandra Thomas Whitfield
Host of Colorado Matters; CPR News / KRCC
Ryan Warner
Host of Colorado Matters

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 225 ratings
  • Host ryan. My god. Can he sound any more phony & pretentious?

    Whether it’s battling a meteorologist over whose book club is better, or using bs terms like “people experiencing homelessness,” the softball “interview” of Denver mayor Johnson about the fake decrease in homelessness for the city- this show is a joke. It’s preaching to the choir. So if you’re a white savior with 5 degrees, a job in tech, academia, or a corrupt NGO, and you drive a Subaru or 4Runner, this is for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    slickywilly407
    United States3 months ago
  • Colorado Matters really matters

    I LOVED your interview w Tig Notaro on today’s Colorado Matters. I’m queuing up “Come See Me In the Good Light” now and will report back. As always, thank you for an interview that doesn’t follow stale journalistic patterns; that intuits how your interviewee is feeling and proceeds w delicate curiosity, and leaves me always wanting to know the subject better.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gracie in denver
    United States9 months ago
  • Ryan Warner is a gem!

    This Colorado native loves your energy and creativity you bring to this show. You have the perfect balance of journalist and entertainer to showcase and share the beauty of this state and the people who live here. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Luckytink
    United Statesa year ago
  • Chandra Thomas Whitfield

    Glad you joined Colorado Matters. Appreciate the stories you cover. However, you often sound like you’re reading a script, pausing every now and then and changing your intonation to make it appear like you’re not reading. You’ve been in Colorado for a while now. Perhaps you can stop insinuating that we’re a “backwards” state that would not have a Black ballroom scene, for example. No, there’s not a large Black population here but we have a strong and deep history, and rich culture. You often sou... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    stuartlittle1
    United States2 years ago
  • Colorado Matters really matters

    I’ve been listening to this program for years and I am continually intrigued, inspired and challenged by the variety of topics the program tackles about our great state. Ryan Warner is a superb host and interviewer, and I’m enjoying getting to know Chandra Thomas Whitfield as a host as well. Keep up the great work.

    Loved Tom Hesse’s interview w the director Josh Berman and Trevor Kennison of the Netflix documentary Full Circle. Great reporting as always.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gracie in denver
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some listeners feel coverage can be biased toward certain viewpoints.
Listener appreciation for local relevance and in-depth policy discussions.
High-quality reporting and consistent presence on Colorado issues.
A few critical comments about tone or perceived neutrality.
Strong, thoughtful interviews; hosts balance policy depth with engaging storytelling.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#110
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#114
Poland/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

July 28, 2026: A Portrait in Aging: She never gave up; A rising Colorado Rapids soccer star
Q: What were the biggest Colorado stories Hartfield covered, and what stands out from that career?
He highlights landmark cases like the Lindy England interview and the Army recruiting story, underscoring a career defined by investigative, high-impact reporting.
July 28, 2026: A Portrait in Aging: She never gave up; A rising Colorado Rapids soccer star
Q: How are you feeling right now as you step away from the newsroom?
Hartfield describes the transition as still new and unsettled, acknowledging the ongoing need to stay busy and find what comes next after a long, demanding career.
July 20, 2026: ‘On Fire for God’ with author Josiah Hesse
Q: Do you have religious trauma? And how legit is that as a diagnosis?
Josiah explains that religious trauma fits as a subset of complex PTSD, widely studied by mental health professionals, and notes he's been in therapy for years, which helped him understand and diagnose his experiences.
July 17, 2026: Reaction to Trump's election speech; Denver immigration judge fired; Indie 102.3's Local 303
Q: How did Judge Berge's firing affect perceptions of judicial independence in immigration courts?
The firing, along with replacements aligned with the administration's policies, raised concerns about political micromanagement and undermined the perceived independence of immigration judges from executive branch control.
July 17, 2026: Reaction to Trump's election speech; Denver immigration judge fired; Indie 102.3's Local 303
Q: What are the key tensions between the president's claims about election integrity and the actual state of election governance?
Experts argue that while rhetoric can mobilize voters, the administration has limited mechanisms to overturn elections or nullify midterms; state and local election officials remain the primary authorities, and arguments of widespread fraud are not supported by the core evidence presented in reporting.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado Matters

What is Colorado Matters about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Colorado-focused, interviewer-driven discussions cover state politics, policy, culture, and local issues through in-depth conversations with policymakers, advocates, and community leaders. Episodes often center on housing, governance, public safety, health care, and social issues, interleaved with cultural stories, investigative context, and live events. A notable strength is the ability to pair long-form interviews with on-the-ground reporting, offering both policy nuance and practical impact for Coloradans. The show frequently features prominent state figures and diverse perspectives, making it a go-to for listeners who want a thorough, civically engaged portrait of Colorado. Potential listeners may appreciate rigorous questions, accessib... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Colorado Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Colorado Matters:

1. Colorado Today
2. City Cast Denver
3. Purplish
4. The Daily
5. Science Friday

How many episodes of Colorado Matters are there?

Colorado Matters launched 20 years ago and published 2388 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Colorado Matters?

Recent guests on Colorado Matters include:

1. Rick Vigil
2. Chris Vygasky
3. Arlo Perez-Escobel
4. Been to Berkland
5. Shawn Boyd
6. Jennifer Bacon
7. Amy Marshak
8. Roy Romer

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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