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Colorado Matters

Colorado Public Radio
Colorado
Denver
Climate Change
Aging
Tina Peters
Donald Trump
Mental Health
Trump Administration
ICE
Kwanzaa
Vaccines
Government Shutdown
HIV
Dragonflies
Lung Cancer
Artificial Intelligence
Colorado Springs
Healthy School Meals For All
Voting Rights Act
Trust In Media

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 NewsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for Colorado Matters

Latest Episodes

Denver's representative in Congress will, very likely, be Melat Kiros. Fresh off her primary upset, the Democratic Socialist goes in-depth on how she'd legislate with a Republican president. Kiros also tells us her recent comments about the Boulder f... more

The Colorado Black Arts Festival marks a milestone this summer. One of the state's most enduring cultural institutions is celebrating 40 years of showcasing Black art, music, food, and community as the festival returns to Denver’s City Park July 10-1... more

Climate change means stronger winds and more dry lightning, says Senior Editor at Inside Climate News Michael Kodas. The Boulder journalist is the author of "Megafire: The Race to Extinguish a Deadly Epidemic of Flame." Then, Estes Park climber and r... more

In the face of global climate change, what room is there for the concept of "Leave No Trace?" We sit on a riverbank and ask the head of the Boulder-based Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, which is in its third decade. Then, we get a bead on I... more

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Recent Guests

Megan Falley
Colorado poet, widow of Andrea Gibson
Colorado poet
Episode: June 26, 2026: Megan Falley reflects on the afterlife in 'Searching for Jobie;' What's on rural voters' minds?
Luisa Castellanos
18-year-old who was treated for an eating disorder; focus of the first story
Eating Recovery Center (past treatment)
Episode: June 25, 2026: Younger kids facing eating disorders; Theatreworks celebrates 50 years on stage!
Penelope Wong
Executive chef, Yuan Wonton
Yuan Wonton
Episode: June 24, 2026: Voters weigh-in on primary; Young documentarians on family; One of the West's best chefs!
Dulce Harrison
Filmmaker, Youth Documentary Academy
Youth Documentary Academy
Episode: June 24, 2026: Voters weigh-in on primary; Young documentarians on family; One of the West's best chefs!
Connor Strange
Filmmaker, Youth Documentary Academy
Youth Documentary Academy
Episode: June 24, 2026: Voters weigh-in on primary; Young documentarians on family; One of the West's best chefs!
Grace Hale
Professional composer of classical music; CC alumna
Colorado College / CPR interview subject
Episode: June 23, 2026:'Burping' your home to clear the air; A homecoming for a Colorado composer
Rachel Weaver
Author of Dizzy, Louisville-based writer
Author, Dizzy
Episode: June 22, 2026: 'Dizzy' is about an 18-year struggle with invisible illness
Timothy O'Brien
Denver auditor, Office of the Auditor
City and County of Denver
Episode: June 19, 2026: Summer solstice; Denver auditor wants your input; Pardeep Toor's short stories
Pardeep Toor
Librarian and author
Broomfield, Colorado
Episode: June 19, 2026: Summer solstice; Denver auditor wants your input; Pardeep Toor's short stories

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 States7 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.

Apple Podcasts
#102
United States/News/Daily News
Apple Podcasts
#222
Singapore/News/Daily News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

June 19, 2026: Summer solstice; Denver auditor wants your input; Pardeep Toor's short stories
Q: What are the limits of the auditor's power in enforcing changes?
The auditor lacks enforcement power; influence comes from the bully pulpit and the follow-up process to verify implemented recommendations.
June 19, 2026: Summer solstice; Denver auditor wants your input; Pardeep Toor's short stories
Q: How does the public input influence which audits get pursued?
Public input helps shape audit topics, but most audits for 2026 were initiated through official channels; feedback is evaluated and followed up on to ensure accountability.
June 17, 2026: Are oil and gas companies getting a pass in Colorado? A French-inspired restaurant in Crested Butte
Q: Has there been reaction from lawmakers or activists to these findings, and might this change policy?
There's recognition of the issue and it's an exciting, evolving moment, but no immediate policy shift has been publicly announced yet.
June 17, 2026: Are oil and gas companies getting a pass in Colorado? A French-inspired restaurant in Crested Butte
Q: Do you get the sense that the industry lobbied them?
It's unclear, but industry was lobbied, and that context is important for understanding the discretionary space regulators operate in.
June 25, 2026: Younger kids facing eating disorders; Theatreworks celebrates 50 years on stage!
Q: What helped you most during your time in treatment?
A strong connection with a fellow patient provided crucial support and continuity, helping to build friendships and a sense of shared purpose during recovery.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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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

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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. Up First from NPR
5. The NPR Politics Podcast

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. Megan Falley
2. Luisa Castellanos
3. Penelope Wong
4. Dulce Harrison
5. Connor Strange
6. Grace Hale
7. Rachel Weaver
8. Timothy O'Brien

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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