Erin O'Toole
Host & Senior Producer, In the NoCoEmail: erin.otoole@kunc.org
As the host of KUNC’s news program and podcast In The NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and fast-growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation spots. It’s a privilege to find and share the stories and voices that reflect why NoCo is such an extraordinary place to live.
One of the things I love most about public radio is that it embodies and encourages many of the values I hold dear: integrity, civility and curiosity. I’ve been with KUNC since 2009, minus a brief break where I focused exclusively on a Denver-based podcast. I’ve served in a number of roles here: Morning Edition Host, Assistant News Director, and as host and senior producer for Colorado Edition. My work has been recognized by the Associated Press, the Colorado Broadcasters Association, PRNDI, RTNDA, and the Society for Professional Journalists.
I began my career at a country radio station in Cincinnati, Ohio, where I was a traffic reporter, newscaster, sidekick, and finally a morning show host (yes, it’s true that my name was Coyote Kim!). I later relocated to southern California where I served as Morning Edition host and reporter for KVCR in San Bernardino. I was selected as a USC/Annenberg Health Journalism fellow in 2008.
When I'm not at work, you can usually find me hiking with my two dogs, noodling around on my bass, cooking, or enjoying the sunshine and a cold brew on a patio somewhere.
-
Fort Collins and Boulder may stop using Flock surveillance cameras. Here’s why they’re controversialThere’s a debate in several Front Range cities over the use of what are called Flock cameras. Law enforcement uses Flock cameras to quietly capture license plates and other information as you drive by. Critics say they're an abuse of civil liberties. We hear why the cameras are concerning and why more cities may stop using them. -
Young women are more active in sports than ever. But female athletes face different training challenges than their male counterparts. A new program at Children’s Hospital Colorado aims to transform how middle and high school girls who play sports manage their physical and mental health. -
In January, the Trump administration pulled the U.S. out of the World Health Organization. That move created uncertainty over how states like Colorado can track and respond to diseases emerging around the globe. So state health officials want Colorado to join a global alert network that may help prepare for the next health crisis. -
How a childcare shortage forces parents with babies to make tough choices in parts of rural ColoradoChildcare for infants in Colorado can be tough to find – in fact, in some rural communities like Leadville, there are zero licensed childcare slots for infants. Today on In The NoCo: What’s behind the shortage, and how some communities are trying to fix the problem. -
The Great Gatsby is a classic novel. One Colorado author loves the book so much, she set out to revisit the story from a fresh perspective. It’s now a novel called Mrs. Wilson’s Affair. Hear the story behind the novel, today on In The NoCo. -
For many people with seasonal allergies, the sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes have flared up earlier than usual this year. It’s partly due to the warm, dry winter we’ve had on the Front Range – but it’s also part of a long-term trend of pollen seasons that start earlier each year and last longer. Today on In The NoCo: How allergy season is evolving – and how to fight the symptoms. -
This CU researcher says there can be positive side benefits to mood disorders. Here’s what she foundLife with bipolar disorder or chronic depression can come with intense periods of sadness or despair. But these conditions might also come with some surprising advantages – including better social relationships and creative abilities. That’s according to new research from the University of Colorado. We dig into the possible “silver linings” of mood disorders. -
Across Europe, millions of people harness solar energy by using small, plug-in solar panels that can fit on a porch or a balcony. These devices aren't widely available in the U.S. right now. But state lawmakers hope to change that. Hear why some Colorado legislators are pushing for plug-in solar. -
Wage garnishment is a tool that debt collection agencies can use to recoup unpaid medical debt. But critics say that taking a portion of someone’s paycheck to pay medical debt affects low-income patients disproportionately. A new bill at the state house could ban the practice of wage garnishment in Colorado – but some warn that could have a negative impact on healthcare for everyone. -
A bird species called the lesser prairie-chicken once roamed the Great Plains, including parts of Colorado. They once numbered in the millions – but now only an estimated 30,000 of the birds remain. So why did the bird lose its federal protections – and why do bird lovers find the lesser prairie-chicken fascinating?
