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Colorado Matters

Colorado Public Radio
Colorado
Denver
Aging
Climate Change
Donald Trump
Tina Peters
Trump Administration
Mental Health
Kwanzaa
ICE
HIV
Lung Cancer
Colorado Springs
Healthy School Meals For All
Voting Rights Act
Trust In Media
Denver International Airport
Christmas
Aging With HIV
Gambling

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
Daily NewsNewsGovernment

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Artwork for Colorado Matters

Latest Episodes

She hoped to escape Vietnam and reuniting with her mother in Colorado. It led Sister Sen Nguyen to a life of service and a love of learning. For Portraits in Aging, her story about never giving up. Then, multiple award-winning photojournalist Kevin H... more

The deadly fire on the Colorado/Utah border has claimed the life of a fourth firefighter. 43-year-old Nathan Matthews, of Lincoln, Nebraska, had been hospitalized since the Snyder fire burnover June 27. Also this season, a helicopter pilot died fight... more

Drought and wildfire mean hopes are high for monsoon (from the Arabic word for "season"). Denver7 Chief Meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo returns for our regular climate and weather conversation. Then, among the headstones at Fairmount, we meet the authors ... more

The Denver-based SafeSport is supposed to protect Olympians and Paralympians from sexual, physical and emotional abuse. Its new CEO, Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, a gold medal Olympian herself, acknowledges it's had its share of challenges. Now, it's str... more

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Recent Guests

Mark Barnhouse
Author, Historic Cemeteries of Denver
Fairmount Heritage Foundation
Episode: July 24, 2026: Monsoon hopes; peculiar cemetery stories
James Cavoto
Author, Historic Cemeteries of Denver
Fairmount Heritage Foundation
Episode: July 24, 2026: Monsoon hopes; peculiar cemetery stories
Nathan Fernando-Frescas
CPR's senior host of All Things Considered; Voices Unbound organizer
CPR
Episode: July 24, 2026: Monsoon hopes; peculiar cemetery stories
Navon Sandoval
Founder, Refugees and Immigrants United
Nonprofit
Episode: July 24, 2026: Monsoon hopes; peculiar cemetery stories
Carlos Samor
State Supreme Court Justice
Colorado
Episode: July 24, 2026: Monsoon hopes; peculiar cemetery stories
Leela Welch
Adoptee from India
Independent
Episode: July 24, 2026: Monsoon hopes; peculiar cemetery stories
Kai Rackley
Make-A-Wish recipient and United Airlines first officer
United Airlines
Episode: July 22, 2026: Legendary artist & astronaut Ed Dwight 'casts a legacy'; Make-A-Wish kid pays it forward
Matthew Payne
Executive Director of the Denver Sports Commission
Denver Sports Commission
Episode: July 21, 2026: A 25-year milestone for sports in Colorado; The little-known Italian immigrant story of the West
Linda Stasi
Award-winning author
Author of The Descendent
Episode: July 21, 2026: A 25-year milestone for sports in Colorado; The little-known Italian immigrant story of the West

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 States2 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 States8 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 States10 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.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
July 9, 2026: Phil Weiser on general election strategy; Theater critics on what to watch for this summer
Q: What are the chances in Pueblo and other swing counties for the fall election?
Weiser emphasizes direct engagement with voters, acknowledging deficits in some counties while stressing that showing up and earning trust across the state is central to the campaign's strategy.
June 29, 2026: How Trump voters seized the party from Republican leaders
Q: Why wasn't the January 6th attack a deal breaker for Trump within Republican circles?
Although widely criticized, Trump retained the loyalty of Republican identifiers, and for many, electoral considerations and party unity outweighed the political damage from the assault on the Capitol.

Audience Metrics

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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. Purplish
2. Colorado Today
3. City Cast Denver
4. Here & Now Anytime
5. Up First from NPR

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. Mark Barnhouse
2. James Cavoto
3. Nathan Fernando-Frescas
4. Navon Sandoval
5. Carlos Samor
6. Leela Welch
7. Kai Rackley
8. Matthew Payne

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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