Rephonic
Artwork for Colorado Matters

Colorado Matters

Colorado Public Radio
Colorado
Climate Change
Denver
Tina Peters
Aging
Trump Administration
Donald Trump
Mental Health
ICE
Ed Dwight
Vaccines
Kwanzaa
Wildfires
Government Shutdown
HIV
Healthcare
Education
Dragonflies
Lung Cancer
NASA

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
Number of ListenersCategories
NewsDaily NewsGovernment

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Colorado Matters

Latest Episodes

The debate over data centers has prompted thousands of questions about the approval process and the impact in Colorado Springs. Then, what if the United States treated child care in the same way it treats schools, parks and libraries? Denver author E... more

Kind of like renters do, oil and gas operators must leave a deposit in case they make a mess. But an investigation by Denver journalist Joe Fassler found the state's failed to collect as much as $1 billion in bonding. Then, "Raising Colorado" looks a... more

There's a lot at stake in this month's primary election, including helping shape who takes control of Congress in the general election in November. We'll break it down with Purplish. Then, the Colorado Rockies will honor Theodore "Bubbles" Anderson i... more

We go underground into the tunnels Denver International Airport wants to transform into passenger walkways between the concourses. And Ryan Warner sits down with outgoing CEO Phil Washington, about the airport's growth and what the future may hold. T... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Purplish
PurplishColorado Public Radio
Colorado Today
Colorado TodayColorado Public Radio
The Daily
The DailyThe New York Times

Recent Guests

Megan Kate Nelson
Historian and author of The Westerners
Center for the Arts Crested Butte / Mountain Words Festival
Episode: June 12, 2026: For America's 250th, a truer story of the frontier
Marcelo Balboa
Former US mens national soccer team member, now Colorado Rapids youth coach
Colorado Rapids
Episode: June 10, 2026: 'Searching for Jobie' with questions of an afterlife; Marcelo Balboa's World Cup reflections
Simon Melov
Professor at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Buck Institute for Research on Aging
Episode: June 8, 2026: A Colorado researcher pioneers the genetics of aging; Purplish on Tina Peters
Claire Levy
Boulder County Commissioner, former state lawmaker
Colorado government
Episode: June 5, 2026: Reclaiming a stolen citizenship; Democratic debate for governor; Greek festival celebrates 60!
Fritz Lieber
Friend of Levy present for support
Private individual
Episode: June 5, 2026: Reclaiming a stolen citizenship; Democratic debate for governor; Greek festival celebrates 60!
Tad Klein
Friend of Levy present for support
Private individual
Episode: June 5, 2026: Reclaiming a stolen citizenship; Democratic debate for governor; Greek festival celebrates 60!
George Andresos
Eto Elas band member; Greek musician
Eto Elas
Episode: June 5, 2026: Reclaiming a stolen citizenship; Democratic debate for governor; Greek festival celebrates 60!
Victor Marks
Self-described high-risk humanitarian and GOP candidate for governor
GOP gubernatorial candidate
Episode: June 4, 2026: All three GOP candidates for governor debate for first time; Heritage camp creates community
Anna Tsouhlarakis
Greek and Indigenous artist, CU Boulder instructor
CU Boulder / Whitney Biennial participant
Episode: June 3, 2026: Colorado reforms sports betting; A dream fulfilled for Greek and Indigenous artist Anna Tsouhlarakis

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 222 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 Statesa month 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 States6 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 States9 months 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 States2 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
#130
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#168
Singapore/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#235
China/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#242
Israel/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

June 8, 2026: A Colorado researcher pioneers the genetics of aging; Purplish on Tina Peters
Q: What was the fundamental breakthrough Tom Johnson achieved, and why did it matter?
Johnson identified a single gene in roundworms that extended lifespan, which challenged the prevailing view that aging was non-modifiable and sparked a broader shift toward genetic and molecular approaches to aging.
May 27, 2026: Julie Gonzales shares her vision for US Senate in primary bid; Colorado's Tiny Desk finalist
Q: How would you handle Senate leadership and party dynamics if elected?
She advocates against supporting the current Senate leadership and calls for new leadership focused on working people, with a plan to counter fascist tendencies within the party and promote a worker-centered agenda.
May 27, 2026: Julie Gonzales shares her vision for US Senate in primary bid; Colorado's Tiny Desk finalist
Q: What policy differences set you apart from your opponent?
The guest emphasizes opposing the Trump-era cabinet nominations, pushes for Medicare for all, universal care, housing-first policies, an end to dark money, and term limits to curb corporate influence.
May 28, 2026: Finding a fix for Colorado's broken child care system
Q: I know you study childcare throughout the nation, but since you live in Colorado, can you give me a sense of the landscape in childcare? What are we seeing right now?
The landscape shows a paradox: there are shortages and long wait lists, yet some programs have openings but can't fill them due to affordability, staffing, and eligibility gaps in subsidies like CCAP.
May 29, 2026: Longing was her lover
Q: What tool or practice helped you break free from perpetual anticipation toward a healthier relationship?
Writing in my journal every night, and saying out loud affirmations like I am ready for and worthy of a deeply intimate and loving relationship, helped reframe my self-worth and reduce the grip of limerence.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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

Where can I find podcast stats for Colorado Matters?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Colorado Matters. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Colorado Matters and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Colorado Matters get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Colorado Matters, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Colorado Matters?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Colorado Matters, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Colorado Matters have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Colorado Matters has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Colorado Matters?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Colorado Matters:

1. Purplish
2. Colorado Today
3. City Cast Denver
4. Up First from NPR
5. The Daily

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.

How do I contact Colorado Matters?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Colorado Matters?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Colorado Matters from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Colorado Matters?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Colorado Matters. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Colorado Matters?

Recent guests on Colorado Matters include:

1. Megan Kate Nelson
2. Marcelo Balboa
3. Simon Melov
4. Claire Levy
5. Fritz Lieber
6. Tad Klein
7. George Andresos
8. Victor Marks

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days